Field Reports: Idaho fire salvage to close some forest roads
PUBLIC LANDS – About 52 miles of roads in the 2015 Tower Fire area west of Priest River drainage remain closed for safety as salvage logging is scheduled to begin in July and last for up to three years.
Idaho Panhandle Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth announced the Tower Fire Salvage and Reforestation Project last week.
“Salvage projects protect the health and safety of the public, by removing hazardous burned trees along trails and roads, recover the remaining economic value of forest products in a timely manner to contribute to employment and income in local communities, while restoring portions of the landscape,” she said in a media release.
“This project will include salvaging approximately 1,819 acres of dead and dying trees for recovery of economic value, removing hazardous trees on 1,335 acres along 52 miles of road, and providing 3,496 acres for reforestation.”
Similar plans were announced for the Grizzly Complex Fire perimeter, north of Enaville and west of Prichard, Idaho, in the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River drainage.
This project will include salvaging 1,700 acres of dead and dying trees for recovery of economic value, removing hazardous trees on 1,325 acres along 27 miles of road and providing 1,837 acres for tree planting.
The projects are expected to begin in July and last up to three years. Within the Tower Fire project areas. Designated roads will be closed until hazardous trees have been removed.
Info: fs.usda.gov/ipnf.
Vandals hit Harts Pass
TRAILS – Although work is still underway to clear boulders that have blocked Harts Pass Road northwest of Winthrop since November, vandals got through and vandalized Forest Service structures.
Harts Pass, the highest point in Washington accessible by car, is a popular trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail and Pasayten Wilderness.
Vandals damaged the Harts Pass Guard Station and the Slate Peak Lookout, the Winthrop Ranger District reported Friday.
Harts Pass Road was cut into a steep hillside in 1893 for mining. Vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited.
The road should be cleared and open to the public shortly after the holiday weekend.
Evening programs
at Riverside Park
OUTDOOR EDUCATION – The Wednesdays in the Woods programs at Riverside State Park continue this week with a Leave No Trace program by Holly Weiler of the Washington Trails Association.
Weiler will outline seven clear ways hikers, campers and other people can enjoy the great outdoors with minimal impact to the land and wildlife.
The programs start Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Bowl & Pitcher amphitheater. The programs are free but registration is required to assure a space. Sign up online at REI.com/Learn.
A Discover Pass is required for parking.
Other upcoming programs in the series include:
July 13 –Creatures of the Night by West Valley Outdoor Learning Center.
July 20 –Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail by REI.
July 27 –Moose, Cougars and Bears, OH MY! by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Aug. 3 –Fly Fishing for Kids of all Ages by West Central Community Center’s OWL Program.
Aug. 10 –Outdoor First Aid for Dogs by SouthCare Animal Medical Center.
Aug. 17 –Yoga for Outdoor Fitness by REI.
Aug. 24 –Hiking with Kids of All Ages by Hike It Baby.
Aug. 31 –Ice Cream & Bluegrass by Rye River.