'Know before you go' This 4th of July weekend
June 26, 2011

If you plan to visit national forest areas during the Independence Day holiday (July 4th) weekend,  Know before you go,” suggests acting Idaho Panhandle National Forests Supervisor Maggie Pittman. What’s important to know?  Read on!

 

Fireworks are prohibited on all national forests year-round.  Even if it’s “green,” please practice good sense by using caution with fire and smoking at all times, in all places.  Drown, stir and check your campfire for heat with your bare hand.  ALL fires must be DEAD OUT before leaving the site.

 

Responsible Motorized Use.  Please stay on designated routes and obtain the appropriate travel maps before you go. On the Coeur d’Alene River, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Priest Lake Ranger Districts visitors should carry the FREE Motorized Vehicle Use Maps, available at Forest Service Offices throughout north Idaho.  No mud bogging is allowed anywhere on National Forest system lands.  Idaho traffic laws apply to all motor vehicles including off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and motorcycles of all types.

Beware of …Snow?  Although crews continue to make progress clearing trails and roads, shady areas and high elevations still may have several feet of snow, making vehicle travel on some roadways tricky.  Vehicles can break through snow’s rotten crust and leave travelers “stuck.”  Cell phone coverage may not be available to contact emergency responders so it’s best to avoid the temptation to plow on through in snowy areas.  It could get worse the farther you go!  For the latest information on road conditions, including closures and construction, please visit the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ “Road Status” web page.     

 

Recreation Information.  Due to late snowpack, construction or flood damage, some recreation sites may not be open during the 4th of July holiday weekend. Visit the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ “Recreation” web page to check the status of your favorite site!

 

Camping.  Camping is allowed for up to 14 days within any 30-day period in developed recreation sites; undeveloped recreation sites; campgrounds; wilderness areas; and other general forest areas (previous limit was up to 14 days within a 45-day period).

 

Keep it Clean to Avoid Bear Encounters!  Bears often develop a strong liking for human and pet foods.  Store food in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof containers; keep sleeping areas, tents and sleeping bags free from food and food odors; and wash up, change clothes and remove all scented articles nearby before going to bed.  Wild bears avoid people, but bears conditioned to human food can be aggressive and may be euthanized if problems occur.

 

For more information on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests please visit our website, or contact your local Forest Service office.