Parker Ridge fire closing trails in Idaho Selkirks

HIKING — A wildfire in the Idaho Panhandle is affecting popular hiking trails northwest of Bonners Ferry. Here’s the latest report from the Forest Service:

Fisher Peak Trail #14 and dispersed campsites along that route are now closed due to increased fire activity from the nearby Parker Ridge Fire.  The fire has already closed the Parker Ridge Trail #221.  Both trails link to the popular Pacific Northwest Trail system, forcing a reroute of the trail three miles north to Long Canyon Trail.

Recent fire activity on the 401-acre Parker Ridge Fire seven miles southwest of Porthill forced fire managers to close the trail.  The lightning strike fire on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is burning in timber and brush and being monitored by firefighters.  Sudden changing weather conditions could push the fire into open trail areas.

Sign-in logs have been posted at the Trout Creek, Pyramid, and Long Canyon trailheads to help locate hikers in case changing fire conditions.  Hikers are requested to use the sign-in logs at the three trailheads in case firefighters need to account for them and/or evacuate them in case of an emergency.