Salmon River now open to rafters, with restrictions

The Bureau of Land Management has re-opened the Salmon River to rafters, but several restrictions are in place because of the Tepee Springs Fire burning in the area and delays should be expected. Rafters can resume launching at the Corn Creek site at 6 a.m. Thursday. The main Salmon River Road will remain closed, which includes the normal take-out sites of Carey Creek and Vinegar Creek. Rafters can float through the burned area and take out at the Shorts Bar Recreation Site just east of Riggins, which is more than 20 miles from Carey Creek. Only the boat launch and parking lot at the Shorts Bar site will be open. The campground and day use areas will remain closed. The Spring Bar Recreation site is also closed and the restrooms cannot be used. A river guard will be stationed at the Shepp Ranch on the Salmon River. All rafters must stop and get fire safety information from the river guard before continuing downstream.