20 Active Fires Close Majority Of North Fork

The U.S. Forest Service has closed most of the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, the largest emergency closure in Idaho Panhandle National Forest history. “It was a difficult decision to make and we don’t do these things lightly,” Jason Kirchner, a spokesman for the IPNF, said Wednesday. “We only did this because it is necessary for the public’s safety.” Kirchner said there are at least 20 active fires burning in the area and extremely dangerous weather is approaching North Idaho.

The North Fork River Road is barricaded near Shoshone Base Camp at the south end of the closure, and Jordan Saddle at the north end of the river basin. Kirchner said there are private landowners affected by the closure but the Forest Service will make exceptions for some of them/ Jeff Selle , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.