Celebrating Fourth of July on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Fourth of July is a favorite time for Americans to visit their National Forests. The following information will help you plan your visit to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

Please be advised that all Forest Service offices on the Nez Perce-Clearwater will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. Offices will be open on Monday, July 3 for you to purchase a firewood permit, obtain a mushroom permit, acquire forest maps, or to answer any questions you may have before the holiday.

Please remember that fireworks are prohibited on National Forests. There are no fire restrictions at this time, but recreationists are reminded to use caution with any outdoor activity that may cause a spark. Never leave campfires unattended.

Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave; pour water and add dirt to your campfire until it is cold. One spark is all it takes to start a wildfire that could burn thousands of acres of our National Forests, impacting its wildlife, recreation opportunities, and beautiful landscapes.

Report all fires to 911 or the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center: (208) 983-6800.

Dozens of campsites in several Forest Service campgrounds will be open for visitors during the holiday. Many campgrounds have helpful hosts who can provide information about outdoor recreation in the local area. Camping is also allowed at sites outside of developed campgrounds, known as “dispersed sites.” If you camp at a dispersed site, leave no trace of your stay; use existing fire rings if available, and pack out your trash.

Most campgrounds offer first-come, first-served site selection, but a few campgrounds have sites that you can reserve. To reserve a campsite, call toll free at (877) 444-6777 or reserve online at www.Recreation.gov.

A stay at the Adams Ranger Station cabin, located near Grangeville, is a great alternative to camping. The fee is $50 per night with a minimum of two nights’ stay on weekends. To make a reservation, visit the Adams Ranger Station information page at www.Recreation.gov, or call (877) 444-6777.

Many forest trails are accessible at this time, but visitors should be prepared to encounter high creek crossings, downed trees, rocks, and debris. Always travel with care. Check with your local ranger station for a complete list of trails that have been cleared to date. Stay safe and protect sensitive plant life by staying on designated trails. Always yield to stock.

Palouse Ranger District

Giant White Pine, Laird Park, and Little Boulder campgrounds are great places to spend the holiday weekend. Please be advised that Laird Park does not currently have potable water available. Elk Creek Campground, one mile north of Elk River, accepts reservations and boasts good RV access as well as electrical hookup sites. The Palouse District also has three picnic sites that can be reserved for your fun-filled Fourth of July get-together.

Portions of the Palouse Divide road #377 are closed due to logging activity and a landslide. Alternative routes are available to popular areas such as Bald Mountain Lookout.

North Fork Ranger District

Aquarius, Washington Creek, Weitas Creek, and Noe Creek campgrounds are currently open for visitors to enjoy. Noe Creek Campground does not have potable water at this time; visitors should plan to bring their own drinking water.

French Mountain road #250 is open to the Kelly Creek trailhead. Several roads on the North Fork Ranger District have been closed to protect public safety due to road failures caused by spring conditions. This includes a portion of Deception Saddle road #255 between its junctions with road #250 and Osier Cut Off road #735. Please use caution when travelling forest roads, as additional road failures may develop as thawing conditions continue in the high country.

Lochsa/Powell Ranger District

Two campsites on the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District – Wilderness Gateway and Powell - accept reservations. Wilderness Gateway, Powell, Wendover, and Whitehouse campgrounds all have good access for RVs. Powell Campground offers electrical hookup sites. All of these campgrounds are located along Highway 12.

The Lolo Pass Visitor Center and Lochsa Historical Ranger Station will be open on July 4 to welcome visitors, so make sure to stop by for a visit! The Lolo Pass Visitor Center, located on Highway 12 at the Idaho-Montana state line, is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PDT). The Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, located 48 miles east of Kooskia on Highway 12, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saddle Camp road #107 is closed at its junction with Highway 12 at the bridge to Grave Creek due to road re-construction, which may impact those travelling to the area for the holiday. Snow persists on the Lolo Motorway, making it inaccessible to through traffic. Snow, mud, and runoff persisting on many roads limits access elsewhere on the district. Visitors may encounter downed trees and debris, making travel difficult. Motorists are encouraged to pack chains for the front and back of vehicles, as well as a chainsaw.

Moose Creek Ranger District

O’Hara Campground, located seven miles east of Lowell along Selway River road #223, accepts reservations and has good access for RV campers.

Landslides have impacted several roads on the Moose Creek Ranger District. O’Hara road #651 is closed from the junction with Trailhead #713 to its junction with road #1129. Falls Point road #443 is closed at milepost 24 to its junction with Selway River road #223. Swiftwater road #470 is closed beginning at the Swiftwater Bridge to its junction with road #470A. Fog Mountain road #319 is closed to vehicles greater than 50” wide.

Salmon River Ranger District

Two campsites on the Salmon River Ranger District accept reservations: the Fish Creek group site, and the South Fork group use site #5. Fish Creek, South Fork, and Castle Creek campgrounds have good RV access. All of these campgrounds are located along Highway 14.

While many roads on the Salmon River Ranger District are open, visitors should be advised that road closures are in effect in some places due to log hauling. This includes Slate Creek road #354, which is closed on weekdays (including July 4) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The road is open on weekends. Visitors travelling in the area should be aware of increased log truck traffic; travel with care.

Red River Ranger District

The popular Magruder Corridor road #468 is open until its junction with Green Mountain road #285. However, snow persists farther along the route, making it inaccessible for through travel. Travelers on Idaho County road #233 on the Crooked River Corridor should expect to encounter forest personnel and heavy truck traffic along the road due to ongoing projects in the area. The road is narrow with limited opportunities to turn around.

Visitors are urged to use extreme caution when travelling in this area. Road #464 is currently closed on weekdays (including July 4) from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to log hauling. Please note that Crooked River Campground #3 is temporarily closed.

Visit the forest website or contact your local ranger station for more information about the area you are interested in before you begin your trip. Trail conditions are found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nezperceclearwater/home/?cid=fseprd506117.

The Alerts & Notices page (https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices) contains lots of important information, including road condition reports. Contact information for local ranger stations can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nezperceclearwater/about-forest/offices.

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests would like to wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Fourth of July.

Memorial Day Weekend on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend provides a great opportunity to visit the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The following information will help you plan your visit.

Please be advised that all Forest Service offices on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will be closed on Memorial Day, May 29.

Camping and Trails

Most campgrounds on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests offer first-come, first-served site selection, although you can reserve campsites at a few campgrounds managed by the forest. Contact your local Forest Service office for a list of local campgrounds that accept reservations. To reserve a campsite, call Recreation.gov at 1­ (877) 444-6777, or visit www.Recreation.gov. Reservations should be made at least four days in advance.

Visitors can also camp in areas outside of developed campgrounds, called “dispersed sites.” However, campers who choose to stay in dispersed sites should take extra care to protect natural resources such as vegetation. If you camp at a dispersed site, leave no trace of your stay. Use existing fire rings if available, and pack out your trash. 

Numerous trails on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are currently available for use by forest visitors. Please consider hazards involved with hiking before heading out on the trail, such as uneven terrain and steep grades. Hazards such as falling trees, rolling logs and rocks, poor tread, and holes from burned-out stumps are evident in places recently impacted by fire. Make appropriate safety considerations before heading out, which may include changing your travel plans. Be aware that conditions can change very quickly.

Palouse Ranger District

All campgrounds on the Palouse Ranger District are now open. Laird Park, Little Boulder, and Giant White Pine Campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elk Creek Campground, near the town of Elk River, features 23 sites with electrical hookups; a portion of these campground sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Camp-ground hosts are in place to assist you during your stay.

Water at campgrounds on the Palouse Ranger District has not yet been tested, so plan to bring drinking water with you on your trip. There is no trash service at any of the four campgrounds on the Palouse Ranger District, so please take your refuse with you when you leave. 

You can reserve group picnic areas at Little Boulder and Laird Park Campgrounds, as well as the pavilion at Elk Creek Campground, by calling the Potlatch Ranger Station.

North Fork Ranger District

It is anticipated that Aquarius, Washington Creek, and Weitas Creek Campgrounds will be open for visitor use by Memorial Day weekend. Other campgrounds on the district, including Kelly Forks and Hidden Creek Campgrounds, are currently inaccessible. 

Water systems serving North Fork campgrounds are typically operational when campgrounds open. However, potable water might not be available until water tests are completed. Campers are advised to bring their own drinking water.

Almost all of the trails on the North Fork Ranger District are currently inaccessible due to snow and downed trees.

Lochsa/Powell Ranger District

All campgrounds on the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District opened Monday, May 22, with the exception of Jerry Johnson Camp-ground. Jerry Johnson Campground will be open this season starting Friday, May 26. The RV dump at Wilderness Gateway Campground will be open by Wednesday, May 24. 

It is expected that most sites will have potable water by Friday, May 26; signage will be posted at any campground where water is not potable. A campground host will be arriving at Wilderness Gateway Campground on Thursday, May 25.

Big Hill Trail #65 and Pete King Ridge Trail #708 are fully cleared. Mocus Point Trail #469, Van Camp Trail #16, Split Creek Trail #133, and Boulder Creek Trail #211 are partially cleared.

Moose Creek Ranger District

All campgrounds on the Moose Creek Ranger District opened Monday, May 22. It is anticipated that the RV dump at Cedar Flats will be open by Friday, May 26. For those campgrounds providing water, water has been turned on and is potable. A campground host is currently available at O’Hara Campground.

Selway River Trail #4 is cleared. Several trails on the district have been partially cleared, including Three Links Trail #405, East Moose Trail #421, Bear Creek Trail #516, Big Rock Trail #693, Glover Creek Trail #704, Gedney Trail #708, and Meadow Creek Trail #726.

Salmon River Ranger District

Fee campgrounds located along the South Fork of the Clearwater River, including Castle Creek and South Fork Campground, are open and potable water is available. Our friendly campground host is also available to help you settle in! Fish Creek Campground, located seven miles south of Grangeville, is open and potable water is available.

A camp host will be on site in early June. Spring Bar Campground, located along the Salmon River, is open and potable water is available. All of these campgrounds have a fee of $12 a night.

Rapid River Trail, located along the Salmon River, and Johns Creek Trail, located along the South Fork of the Clearwater River, are open and offer early season hiking opportunities due to their relatively low elevation.

Red River Ranger District

Red River Campground is open and potable water is available.

Roads

Road condition reports and road closure notices can be found on our website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices. Please contact the Ranger District where you plan to travel for the latest updates on road conditions.

Palouse Ranger District

Portions of the Palouse Divide Road #377 are currently closed; alternative routes to areas such as Bald Mountain Lookout are available. Please visit our website for the closure order and map of alternate routes. 

North Fork Ranger District

Many roads on the North Fork are closed due to snow, ice, and landslides. French Mountain Road #250 is open for the first five miles, then closed between Pierce and Bungalow due to snow and ice. Between Bungalow and Kelly Forks, Road #250 is open, but is very rough with deep potholes – travel with care.

Through Black Canyon, Road #250 is impassable due to deep snow, landslides, and avalanches. Deception Saddle, Road #255, is impassable due to snow and a major landslide. Toboggan Road #581 is closed due to snow. Heavy rain and melting snow might cause flooding on some roads – proceed with caution.

Lochsa/Powell Ranger District

Most roads on the Powell Ranger District, including Elk Meadows Road #373 and Granite Pass Road #595, are closed due to snow. Motorists should be sure to chain up before traveling on snow-covered, back-country roads. Heavy rain and melting snow might also cause flooding on some roads–proceed with caution. 

Salmon River Ranger District

Most of the roads on the Salmon River Ranger District are open, except higher elevation roads such as Square Mountain Road #444. Travelers should use caution when traveling in areas of higher elevation.

Red River Ranger District

Many Forest Service roads on the Red River Ranger District are still closed due to snow. The Magruder Road Corridor (Forest Service road 468) between Elk City, Idaho and Darby, Montana is continuing to receive snowfall and is not currently open to through travel. 

Off-highway vehicle users, please note that ATVs and motorcycles driven on National Forest roads and trails are subject to state of Idaho registration laws and requirements. Contact your local motor vehicle department or the state of Idaho Parks and Recreation website (http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/) for a listing of registration sticker vendors and regulations. Also, please remember that all vehicles classed as UTVs (side-by-sides), regardless of weight or width, are not allowed on forest trails.

Visitor centers

The Lolo Pass Visitor Center, located on Highway 12 at the Idaho-Montana state line, will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. The visitor center will be closed on Wednesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 1.

Lolo Pass Visitor Center may also be closed Friday, June 2. In the event of a Friday closure, signage will be posted at the facility and an announcement will be made on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Discover-Your-Northwest-Lolo-Pass-Visitor-Center-278605048836443/).

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (Pacific). Beginning June 11, Lolo Pass Visitor Center will be open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stop by the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, located along Highway 12, 48 miles east of Kooskia. Forest Service volunteers host the site and are happy to answer your questions about what life was like at remote ranger stations in days gone by. Starting Friday, May 26, the site will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

More information

For more information about activities on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, please contact your local Forest Service office or visit our website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater. Our website provides information about campgrounds, road and trail conditions, and contact information for your local Forest Service office.

Fall burning planned on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will be conducting fall prescribed burns beginning as early as Sept. 10 and continuing through September and into October, until weather or air quality conditions are no longer favorable.

Roads and trail heads that lead into these areas will be posted with caution signs and a map of the prescribed fire locations. 

Powell Ranger Station is planning to broadcast burn a 20 acre unit in the Saddle Camp area along FS road 5601. Smoke may be seen along FS road 107 and FS road 500.

Machine piles in the Saddle Camp and Granite Pass areas within the vicinity of the Powell Divide Timber Sale, along with hand piles near Rocky Point Lookout and the Powell Ranger Station, are also targeted for burning.

Moose Creek Ranger District is planning pile burning in the Johnson Bar area and the Swiftwater and Iron Mountain timber sale areas.

As weather and conditions allow prescribed fire treatments may be applied to three units in the O’Hara area. Visitors may see smoke and meet forest personnel along FS roads 470 (Coolwater) and FS road 464 (O’Hara) during burn operations. 

Lochsa Ranger Station as part of the North Lochsa Face Project is planning a landscape burn in the Middle Butte area north of FS road 483. The prescribed fire treatment is estimated to be 1,000 acres.

The purpose of the burn is to reintroduce fire to the landscape, reduce woody fuel loadings which also reduces the potential for large, catastrophic wildfires, and allow vegetation, naturally found in these areas, to return. 

Additional broadcast burning is planned in late September or early October in the Dead Canyon Timber Sale area near the upper portion of Deadman Creek and Cedar Knob and in the Cabin Timber Sale area near Cabin Creek. The prescribed fire treatments will reduce woody debris to create openings for tree planting.

North Fork Ranger District is planning pile burning in the Middle Bugs Timber Sale area. Piles are located near Lean-To Ridge off of FS road 555 and Beaver Dam Saddle off of FS road 103.

Palouse Ranger District is planning to broadcast burn 30 acres in the Abes Animals Timber Sale near Bovill and an additional 15 acres in the Robo Stew Timber Sale near the community of Elk River. 

Machine piles will be burned in the Cherry Pit, located near Helmer, and Abes Animal timber sale areas. Hand piles located near Jerome Creek, near Harvard, and near the Palouse Ranger District are also targeted for burning. 

Salmon River Ranger District is scheduled to broadcast burn approximately 336 acres within the Festus, Adams Stewardship and the Buckshot timber sale areas.

Approximately 129 acres will be treated within the Festus Timber Sale southeast near White Bird Station off of FS road 9485.

45 acres located in two logging units within the Adams Stewardship Timber Sale near the Adams Work Center, FS road 221, and FS road 309.

Treatments in the Buckshot Timber Sale will total 162 acres and is located near Willow Flat off of FS road 354.

Prescribed fire treatments in various Ponderosa Pine plantations near McComas Meadows, Earthquake Basin, and in the Cove area at the head waters of Bully Creek are planned. 200-300 acres will be treated.

Red River Ranger District, weather permitting, will begin prescribed fire treatments September 12, 2016 and continue until weather and conditions no longer support burning operations. Prescribed fire treatments are scheduled in the Red River Meadows area and the Soda Creek area. 

Acres and locations scheduled include: Approximately 100 acres in the 66 Timber Sale located on the west side of Red River Meadows and below FS road 1800 (Cole Porter Road), 80 acres, Looney 2 Timber Sale, east of FS road 222 along FS road 1806 (Loon Creek Road), 14 acres, Blanco Timber Sale, and east of FS road 222.

Also north of FS road 1183 (Blanco Road), 100 acres, Jungle Trail Timber Sale, located between FS road 234 (Red River Hot Springs Road) and FS road 1172 (Soda Creek Road), and 200 acres in the French Gulch Timber Sale along FS road 9822 (French Gulch Road).

Fire personnel will work closely with the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group, the National Weather Service, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to insure that smoke impacts are minimized. 

Smoke from these prescribed fires will be much less than what would be expected from a wildfire. If smoke concentrations approach air quality standards fire ignition may be delayed until air quality improves.

Residual smoke may be visible for up to two weeks following ignition, but most of the smoke from the fires will dissipate one or two days after ignition. 

Specific information on the location and timing of these prescribed burns are available at each of the district offices. Powell Ranger Station – Matt Young or Brandon Cichowski, 208-942-3113, Moose Creek Ranger District – Tim Schaeffer or Aaron Skinner, 208-926-4258, Lochsa Ranger Station – Sean Gaines or Neal Cox, 208-926-4274, North Fork Ranger District – Mike Lubke or TC Peterson, 208-476-4541, Palouse Ranger District – Lisa Spinelli or Alan Carlson, 208-875-1131, Salmon River Ranger District – Mike Blinn or Kevin Barger, 208-983-1950, Red River Ranger District – Josh Bransford or Tom McLeod, 208-842-2245.

Forest Proposes Adding Cabins and Lookouts to Recreation Rental Program and Increase and Implement New Fees at Several Recreation Sites Across the Forest

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are interested in receiving your comments on a proposal to increase the fee at one campground; and implement a new fee at two campgrounds, three group recreation sites and four cabin/lookout rentals. 

Through this proposal, if implemented, two cabins and two lookouts will be available for public rental, adding to the Forest’s popular recreation rental program. They will also bring several campgrounds, group sites and a dump station into alignment with other sites offering similar benefits and services. 

While these sites have historically been free, the forest has invested in items such as; potable water; increasing recreation site capacity and amenities, such as group sites and shelters; improved toilet facilities; and new picnic tables and other infrastructure.

A reasonable fee, paid by users of these sites and services, will help ensure that the Forest can continue maintaining and improving the sites for future generations. 

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is proposing to charge fees at the following sites:

· Aquarius – Purple Beach Group Site, North Fork Ranger District: Proposed fee of $15 per night and an additional $5 extra vehicle, per night fee for more than 2 vehicles. The adjacent day use picnic area will remain free to public use. 

· Cedar Flats Sewer Dump Station, Fenn Ranger Station, Moose Creek Ranger District: Proposed fee of $10 per use/waste dump.

· Elk River Day Use Picnic & Group Shelter, Palouse Ranger District: Proposed fee of $25 daily rental of the group day use facilities which includes a large group shelter with a maximum capacity of 150 persons and parking for 30 vehicles. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System.

· Fish Creek Group Site, Salmon River Ranger District: Proposed fee of $25 per night with a maximum capacity of 75 and 20 vehicles. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System.

· Gold Meadows Cabin Rental, Lochsa/Powell Ranger District: Proposed fee of $40 per night. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System.

· Liz Creek Cabin Rental, North Fork Ranger District: Proposed fee of $40 per night. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System.

· Lolo Creek Campground, Lochsa/Powell Ranger District: Proposed fee of $12 per night.

· Partridge Creek Campground, Palouse Ranger District; Proposed fee of $12 per night. 

· Scurvy Mountain Lookout Rental, North Fork Ranger District: Proposed fee of $45 per night. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System. 

· Wallow Mountain Lookout Rental, North Fork Ranger District: Proposed fee of $45 per night. Advance reservations for this site will be available through the National Recreation Reservation System. 

Additional construction is required at Partridge Creek Campground prior to implementation of proposed fee, and is planned to occur in 2017. No fee will be charged prior to completion. The four proposed cabin and fire lookout rentals have not been available for recreation use prior to this date. An analysis of nearby similar recreation sites indicates that the proposed sites and associated fees are in alignment with other offerings.

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain 95 percent of fees collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites. 

Forest managers will be accepting comments until October 14, 2016. For more information, questions or to provide comments about any of these fee change proposals, please contact Diana Jones at (208) 476-8239. You can mail comments to: Diana Jones, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, 12730 U.S. Highway 12, Orofino, ID 83544 or email comments to FS-comments-northern-clearwater.

Once public involvement is complete, this proposal and public comments will be presented to the Coeur d’Alene Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) prior to a final decision and implementation.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests continues response to 2015 fires

Personnel on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, regulatory agencies, and partners, continue to work together to provide visitors with safe access and restore the land and infrastructure affected by the 2015 fires.

Continued activities include Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER), working with partners to address needs on non-forest system lands, hazard tree removal along roads, administrative and recreation sites, and salvage of dead and dying trees.

In the summer of 2015, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests had over 250 fires. Over 25 of those fires were large incidents and total acres burned was in excess of 192,000.

Forest personnel addressed the needs of each fire independently, and continue to address post-fire and landscape needs with the same rationale. 

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams arrived on forest and began to assess emergency needs within fire perimeters as the fires were still burning. The result of this critical work was a request and the receipt of $1.1 million to do emergency repair work caused by the fires. 

The BAER assessments do not include long-term restoration needs on the landscape. The BAER recommendations are time-sensitive and forest personnel have been working on these projects since the fall of 2015 and continue to implement emergency repair work.

Potential threats to visitors and agency personnel include flooding and debris flows, hazard trees, and rock fall along trails and at trailheads, developed recreation sites, and dispersed areas that are within, downstream or downslope of burned areas.

The projects include culvert replacements, emergency hazard tree removal at campgrounds and other areas, and invasive plant control. Implementation of this work may cause short-term closures in campgrounds and along roads and trails, but will ultimately provide forest visitors long-term access. 

Forest personnel are active members of the North Central Idaho Wildfire Restoration Group (NCIWRG), previously called the North Idaho Wildfire Response Group.

The group was formed as the smoke began to clear and multiple agencies recognized the need to come together collectively and address the landscape affected by fire in an “all lands” approach. Work continues as agencies compile information on post-fire restoration needs in the five-county area. 

In May, the group hosted a workshop for the public entitled, “Life After the Fires: Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow.” Information on creating fire-wise communities, post-fire restoration needs and opportunities identified by NCIWRG’s Technical Committee, and a presentation by Dr. Penny Morgan from the University of Idaho on Past, Present, and Future Fires was provided to private landowners in attendance. 

In addition to the active participation of forest personnel, the forest helped sponsor the event.

Throughout the late fall of 2015 and into the Spring of 2016, the forest has proposed and sought public comment on a variety of projects which include addressing hazard tree removal along certain roads, administrative sites, recreation sites, salvage of burned trees, and removal of dead and dying trees affected by insects, disease, fire, or a combination of conditions. 

Forest personnel continue to evaluate and modify our projects as necessary with respect to public comments, additional data collection, and new analyses.

The Roadside, Administrative, and Recreation Site Maintenance hazard tree removal, Woodrat, and Upper Lolo draft Environmental Assessments (EA) have been available on the forest website at http://prdp2fs.ess.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/projects/nezperceclearwater/landmanagement/projects?sortby=0&archive=0 for public review and comment since May 7, 2016. To date, general comments from two entities have been received. Below is a summary of proposed projects and their current status:

In response to public comments received, the Lost Hat/Snowy Summit decision has been rescinded and we will be incorporating this project, along with portions of the Roadside, Administrative, and Recreation Site Maintenance hazard tree removal project that are not immediate safety and infrastructure hazards, into the proposed Upper Lolo Environmental Assessment project.

The Upper Lolo project encompasses a cluster of fires that burned in the tributaries to Lolo Creek, east of Pierce and Weippe. The previously submitted Emergency Situation Determination request for the Upper Lolo project will be withdrawn and the proposed action will be published in our paper of record, the Lewiston Morning Tribune, and a 30-day notice and public comment will soon be available. 

Some public comments on the Chair Point, Van Keating, and Big Hill salvage projects indicated a high degree of concern. Reduced viability during layout, rapid deterioration of the wood product, and public concern from some organizations has led to the decision to drop these salvage projects.

The Deadwood project encompasses part of the Deadwood fire perimeter and is located on the Red River Ranger District, near Elk City and Orogrande. This project is sanitation and salvage and includes removal of dead and dying trees affected by insects, disease and/or fire. Forest employees are finalizing the analysis and a decision will be forthcoming on this project.

The Boulder area salvage project is on the Powell Ranger District, near Lolo Pass, and consists of harvesting 59 acres of dead and dying burned trees. Finalization of the analysis and a decision memo has been signed.

The Woodrat area salvage project includes harvest of fire-killed trees on a portion of the Woodrat fire which burned acres on the Lochsa Ranger District, lands administered by Idaho Department of Lands, and private lands near the communities of Syringa and Lowell.

The proposed decision is being refined due to changes on the ground and to take into account the visual impacts from within the Wild and Scenic River Corridor. An Emergency Situation Determination has been requested for this project.

Forest personnel continue to work closely with the regulator agencies on the Endangered Species Act compliance for both the Woodrat and Upper Lolo projects. This process has been completed for all other projects.

The proposed decision for the Roadside, Administrative, and Recreation Site Maintenance hazard tree removal project is being refined to address concerns from the public. The modifications include restricting activity on administratively closed roads to felling dead trees and fuels abatement, only; restricting equipment to the road surface adjacent to Inventoried Roadless Areas; and implementing project design features in areas visible from the Wild and Scenic River Corridor.

The Emergency Situation Determination request submitted for the Roadside, Administrative, and Recreation Site Maintenance hazard tree removal project has been approved by the Chief of the Forest Service.

Response to public concern, as well as resource conditions discovered during project layout, has reduced the scope and scale of the project and prompted changes in the proposed decision.

Forest personnel across all disciplines are working together to address the needs on lands administered by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and are participating members of the NCIWRG. Public input is a valued part of this process, as forest personnel work to provide safe access and restore the land.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests gear up for 2016 fire season

Preparation for the 2016 fire season on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests began in the late fall with an After Action Review of the 2015 fire season.

Shortly after the first of the year, fire staff begin preparations by meeting with personnel to discuss resource needs, additional equipment, staffing levels, and new tools available. Forest Service firefighters are highly trained and complete all required courses before fire season begins.

A variety of forest personnel participate in incident management teams in the Northern Rockies Geographic Area. Incident team members met in March to discuss the seasonal outlook, safety, public information, logistics, operations, plan, and aviation.

Fire positions on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are fully staffed this year. Fifty-one people have been hired in leadership positions, many of these folks have been on forest but have been promoted. There are currently a total of 238 fire personnel on board, and 197 of that total are primary firefighters.

Interagency Fire Guard School was June 6-10 at Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’ Alene. There, 180 rookies learned everything from fire behavior, size-up to initial attack, Standards of Survival, hand line construction, mop up principles, to wilderness fire suppression, and more.

Line Officers: All District Ranger positions are currently filled on both Forests. Line Officer qualification standards are met. Contingency plans are in place to insure fully qualified Line Officers managing all wildland fire, wildland fire use, and prescribed fire operations. 

Fire Leadership: Deputy Forest Supervisor Ralph Rau is leaving the forests in mid-June to fill the Fire and Aviation Director position at the Regional Office in Missoula.

Rau’s support in his new position will be invaluable to the forests. Bob Lippincott is the Fire Staff Officer and Kevin Chaffee is the new Deputy Fire Staff Officer.

Dispatch Program: The Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center workforce is fully staffed. Idaho Department of Lands will be a primary partner, with additional support contributed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protection Association (CPTPA), and the Nez Perce Tribe.

Aviation Leadership: All aviation positions are currently filled.

Aviation Resources: Fixed-wing operations shut down at the Idaho County Airport June 3. Seventy-five working days is set for the project, which will last tentatively into October, during which fixed-wing aircraft will not be able to use the county facility; however, helicopter traffic will be able to continue.

For the duration, fixed-wing Forest Service firefighting aircraft—including smokejumper and SEATs (single engine air tanker)—will be dispersed between the Cottonwood and Lewiston airports.

There will be two SEATS and a Retardant Base at the Lewiston Airport. Grangeville Air Center currently has 29 smoke jumpers but will continuously staff a load at the Cottonwood Airport for initial attack during airport construction.

One helicopter will be based at Musselshell Work Center near Pierce (with 10 people) and one helicopter based at Grangeville Air Center (with 10 people). 

Additional Aviation Resources: Neighbors on the Payette NF, Wallowa-Whitman NF and IDL will have all of their aircraft in place and available under the Snake-Salmon Local Operating Plan. The zone will also continue to support the Umatilla NF under a standing agreement.

Current Conditions: As of June 1, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests have had approximately eight prescribed fires at a total of 320 acres, and two wildfires for a total of 0.2 acres. Prescribed burning is being accomplished on several districts with no issue. 

Expected Conditions: According to the National Interagency Fire Center Predictive Services, normal significant wildland fire potential is expected for the Northern Rockies Geographic Area for the outlook period of June, July, and August through September, 2016.

May featured a very warm start to the month. However, with the onset of the wet pattern temperatures during the latter third of the month fell to well below normal.

Springs rains across the region were above normal for most areas. High elevation locations along the Divide picked up one to three feet of additional snow fall during the last week of May. 

Historically transitions out of El Niño conditions in late spring-early summer tend to be wetter-than-normal. Current trends and the latest models indicate above normal precipitation will continue for early summer.

Longer range data for the second half of the summer, mid-July to early September, shows near average precipitation expected.

There is general agreement that temperatures should be average to slightly above average over the next four months. 

A robust green-up is currently occurring across the Northern Rockies. Fuels in most locations are now much wetter than average. An extended green-up period is likely.

As a result, there is a chance that some areas across the western half of the region could see below normal significant fire potential this season.

That said, a normal start to the fire season is expected. The development of large fires may be delayed due to the longer time that it will take for fuels to become critically dry.

Two new tools for the public

“Wildfires Near Me” at: www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com is a full-featured web app that brings information to the users when they need it.

The app can notify users when a fire is within a certain distance of the places they care about as well as notify them about specific fires when they change is size and complexity. 

Notifications can be sent to the user’s email or mobile phone via text and they can determine the type and frequency of the messages they receive. 

Regarding the Enterprise Geospatial Portal (EGP): The public side is accessed by anyone and without a password by navigating to https://maps.nwcg.gov or clicking the “Wildfire Maps” button in the National Fire Situational Awareness box.

It’s a great tool for the public to use to find incident information and incidents near them and holds a limited amount of incident information including location, size, latest perimeter map, containment, and hot spots (MODIS).

It also has a link to the daily Incident Management Situation Report (Sit report).

State disaster declaration issued in wake of numerous wildfires

(BOISE) – A state disaster declaration was issued Aug. 13 for Idaho and Lewis Counties allowing local governments dealing with wildfire the ability to access state and federal resources to assist them as their communities face a threat to lives and property. The lightning-caused Lawyer Complex fire, which started late Monday afternoon, involves more than three-thousand acres in north central Idaho and has led to evacuations and road closures near Kamiah.

“We are seeing some pretty extreme fire behavior which is why I want to ensure that local officials have whatever they need as they work to put the fire out and then transition to putting their communities back together,” said Governor Otter.

Deteriorating weather conditions, with triple digit temperatures, high winds, and dry lightning conspired to produce well over one hundred fire starts around the state this week. The state’s largest fire, the Soda Fire, grew over night to 200,000 acres and continues to burn along the Idaho/Oregon border threatening homes and destroying sage grouse habitat.

A disaster declaration allows local jurisdictions the ability to access federal and state resources for fighting the fire as well as funds to mitigate its effects.

The declaration was signed today by Senator Brent Hill, in his capacity as acting Governor, while Governor Otter and Lt. Governor Brad Little are both out of the state. The declaration is effective immediately.

“The First Lady and I want to thank all of our first responders and encourage Idahoans to heed their advice, if asked to evacuate.”

Statewide up-to-date information, including fires, fire restrictions and prevention measures can be found at idahofireinfo.blogspot.com – a link to which is available on the IBHS website. www.bhs.idaho.gov

Wildfire danger is expected to continue

Tuesday’s Stage II Fire Restrictions are planned to address long-term danger with regard to fire risk, long-term weather expectations, fire danger and fire behavior. “This decision to go to Stage II was not made lightly, nor will it be rescinded without careful consideration,” stated Bob Lippincott, Forest Fire Management Officer for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during unusually high fire danger and/or burning conditions. Fire Managers and Agency Administrators across Northern Idaho worked together to initiate and implement the Stage II Restrictions. 

When this group agrees that the restrictions for our area can be removed, the entire area will rescind restrictions as a whole. 

This fire season is different from recent fire seasons because fire dangers are at a record high. The extreme heat and dryness has not been experienced in 20 years.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, precipitation for the months of April through June across the northern half of Idaho was between 25 and 50 percent of normal.

The threat of wildfire danger is expected to continue throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall. The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for July and August lists all of North Idaho in ‘Above Normal’ potential indicating a higher than usual likelihood that wildland fires will occur and/or become significant events.

To view the Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook map, please visit http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

Between Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, the forest recorded 2,527 lightning occurrences, at least 84 of which reached the ground. 

Amounts of recorded rainfall with these storms varied tremendously across the reporting area, from trace amounts to almost 2 inches over the last 48 hours. 

This moisture has not significantly reduced the long-term danger with regard to fire risk, long-term weather expectations, and fire danger/behavior. 

Despite the rainfall, lightning associated with recent storm events resulted in several reported fires on the Forest with additional fires reported across the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Zone. As fuels dry out it is likely that fires could continue to be discovered.

For additional information, please call your local Land Management Agency.

Details on the Stage II fire restrictions implemented Tuesday can be found elsewhere in this issue.

Memorial Day weekend on the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests

Snow-laden landscapes are giving way to green grass and wildflowers – a sure sign that spring has finally arrived. An early season getaway to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is the perfect way to celebrate the long Memorial Day Weekend. 

Campsites

Most campgrounds offer first-come, first-served site selection, although you can reserve campsites at a few campgrounds managed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Contact your local Forest Service office for a list of local campgrounds that accept reservations. 

To reserve a campsite, call Recreation.gov at 1­ (877) 444-6777, or visit: www.Recreation.gov. Reservations should be made at least four days in advance.

Visitors can camp at sites outside developed campgrounds called “dispersed sites.” However, campers who choose to stay in undeveloped sites should take extra care to protect natural resources, such as plant life. If you camp at a dispersed site, leave no trace of your stay. Use existing fire rings if available, and pack out your trash. 

All campgrounds on the Palouse Ranger District are now open with all standard campground amenities available. Laird Park, Little Boulder and Giant White Pine are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elk Creek Campground, near the town of Elk River, features 23 sites with electrical hookups; a portion of the campground sites can be reserved through www.recreation.gov/ or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777.

There is no trash service at any of the four campgrounds on the Palouse District, so please take your refuse with you when you leave. 

You can reserve group picnic areas at Little Boulder and Laird Park Campgrounds, as well as the pavilion at Elk Creek Campground, by calling the Potlatch Ranger Station at (208) 875-1131.

On the North Fork Ranger District, Aquarius Campground is already up and running. Washington Creek and Noe Creek Campgrounds are set open on Friday, May 22, just in time to welcome holiday visitors. Two popular campgrounds will remain closed through Memorial Day weekend: The Kelly Forks Campground is scheduled to open Friday, June 5, and Hidden Creek Campground is expected to open June 12.

If you’re looking for a shady campsite on the shores of the Lochsa River, you’re in luck; all campgrounds on the Powell and Lochsa Ranger Districts, including Wilderness Gateway, Powell, Wendover and Whitehouse Campgrounds, will open by May 22. Lolo Campground and White Sands Campground opened in early May. Elk Summit Campground and Rocky Ridge Campground will most likely not be accessible until sometime mid to late June, when the snow melts outs. Jerry Johnson Campground will remain closed all summer, and Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is open for day use only from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water systems have been turned on and tested at Wild Goose, Apgar, Wilderness Gateway, Wendover, Whitehouse, Powell, and White Sands Campgrounds. Campers will have to bring water if they plan to stay at other Lochsa River sites.

On the Moose Creek Ranger District, all of the campgrounds that flank the beautiful “Wild and Scenic” Selway River are open. Johnson Bar has potable water. O’Hara Campground has been open since May 8 and the water system is on. The RV dump station at Cedar Flats is open and available to campers. Visitors are welcome to fill water jugs at the Fenn Visitor Center. 

On the Salmon River Ranger District, all of the following campgrounds are $12 a night. Fee campgrounds located along the South Fork Clearwater River, including Castle Creek and South Fork Campground, are open and potable water is available. However, dumpsters will not be available until June 1. A camp host is on site. Fish Creek Campground, located seven miles south of Grangeville is open with potable water available. A camp host is on site. Spring Bar Campground, located along the Salmon River is open, potable water is available and camp host is planned to arrive on site before Memorial Weekend. Dumpsters won’t be available until July 1. 

The Red River Campground, located on the Red River Ranger District, is open. Water is on, but it is not potable. Part of the system is down due to a cracked valve, recreation staff plans to have it fixed before the weekend. No camp host available.

River and stream conditions

Boaters are encouraged to use caution and wear personal floatation devices and helmets while on the water. For the adventurous, there are several outfitters that provide whitewater adventures on the Lochsa, Selway and Salmon Rivers. Outfitter information can be found at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ioglb. 

Roads and trails

For your safety and to prevent damage to the land, stay on roads and trails and avoid those that are too wet or muddy. Spring break-up can wreak havoc on roads.

Trails

On the Powell and Lochsa Ranger Districts, trails are starting to clear of snow to roughly 3500’ in elevation although, in the deep woods, snow can still be found at 5000’. Visitors hiking Forest trails over Memorial Day weekend should be aware that they might encounter downed trees, rocks, flooded trails, or other hazards.

Trail crews are just beginning to open trails on the Powell, Lochsa, and Moose Creek Ranger Districts. Selway River Trail #4 and Meadow Creek Trail #726, between the trailhead at Slims Camp and Meadow Creek Cabin, are open and are good destinations Memorial Day hikers and stock users.

Most low-elevation trails on the North Fork Ranger District are open for the first two to three miles.

Trail users should always to yield to stock. 

Off-highway vehicle users, note: ATVs and motorcycles driven on national forest roads and trails are subject to state of Idaho registration laws and requirements. Contact your local motor vehicle department or the state of Idaho Parks and Recreation website at: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/ for a listing of registration sticker vendors and regulations. Also, please remember that all vehicles classed as UTVs (side-by-sides), regardless of weight or width, are not allowed on Forest trails. 

Roads

On the North Fork Ranger District, French Mountain Road 250, from Pierce to Kelly Forks and north, through Black Canyon, is open. Due to residual snow and plow berms, the road might be narrow in places, so drivers should proceed with care. The remainder of Road 250, Cedars Campground to Hoodoo Pass, remains blocked by snow. Road 255, Kelly Forks through Deception Saddle is open, but in rough shape. Toboggan Ridge Road 581, from its junction with Road 255 to Cayuse Landing, is in poor condition. The road is washed out in spots and it’s difficult to navigate; drivers should think twice and use extreme caution. 

Road 100 is open from Kamiah to Lolo Creek Campground. Due to severe slumping and a broken road surface, part of the road has closed at Eldorado Creek, near the junction with Road 500. Traffic will be detoured along Road 500, the Lolo Motorway, to Cedar Creek Road 520. From there, travelers will make their way west on Road 5132, which junctions with Road 100 near Nevada Creek. 

Road 100 from Pierce is open to the Bradford Bridge, but motorists will come across a six-mile-long detour prior to reaching the bridge. The detour route is narrow and covered with debris in places, so drivers should proceed with care. Despite the short distance, travel time may be as long as 45 minutes. The route is not recommended for RVs or tow trailers. 

Road 103, Musselshell Meadows, is open for the first two miles from its junction with Road 100.

Elk Meadows Road 373 and Granite Pass Road 595, near Lolo Pass on the Powell Ranger District, are starting to melt out, but neither road will open by Memorial Day.

Most of the roads on the Salmon River and Red River Ranger Districts are open for a few miles before snow impedes travel. Memorial Day drivers should contact their local Forest office for updated road information. Conditions can change rapidly. 

The Magruder Road Corridor (Road 468) between Elk City and Darby, Montana, remains closed by snow.

Visitor centers

There are a handful of places you can stop for information, firewood permits, mushroom permits and maps while visiting the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests. All Forest Service offices will close Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. 

The historic Fenn Ranger Station, located just a few short miles from US Highway 12 near Lowell, is on the National Register for Historic Places. A self-guided walking tour highlights this beautifully landscaped, working historic ranger station built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Fenn Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday. The Fenn Visitor Center will be issuing commercial use mushroom permits.

The Lolo Pass Visitor Center on Highway 12 at the Idaho-Montana state line will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday of Memorial Day week. Hours of operation will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Beginning June 1, the Visitor Center will be open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) each day. The Visitor Center has personal use mushroom permits available, but will not be selling commercial use mushroom permits.

Forty-eight miles east of Kooskia, along Highway 12, stop by the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station. Beginning May 22, the station will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Forest Service volunteers host the site and are happy to answer your questions about what life was like on remote ranger stations in days gone by.

For Information

For more road and trail information and updates, call the Supervisor’s Office in Kamiah at (208) 935-2513, the Grangeville Office at (208) 983-1950 or the North Fork Ranger District Office at (208) 476-8267. You’re also invited to check online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater.

Campground and cabin rental fees to increase on the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forests

Regional Forester Faye Krueger recently approved the recommendation from the Coeur d’Alene Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Committee (BLM RAC) to increase recreation fees for several sites on the Nez Perce-Clearwater Forests.

The decision to increase fees was based on recommendations by a Recreation Fee Analysis (RFA) in 2011. This was in response to the combination of the two forests’ recreation program and to severely declining budgets.

Public involvement related to the RFA process yielded significant concerns about the proposal to consider concessionaire management but yielded very little concern about raising fees. The proposed sites have recently received significant investment to improve visitor services.

Effective Dec. 1, amenity fees increased at 24 campgrounds, one visitor center, and four lookout/cabin rentals on the forests. Reservations made prior to Dec. 1, 2014 will be honored at the previous, lower rate. Most of these sites are currently closed for the winter season.

Forest recreation opportunities are found in three large geographical zones: the North Zone, including the Palouse and North Fork Ranger Districts; the Central Zone, containing the Lochsa, Moose Creek (Selway River), and Powell Ranger Districts; and the South Zone which covers the Red River, Elk City, South Fork of the Clearwater and Salmon River Districts. Approved fee increases are as follows:

North Zone

Aquarius, Hidden Creek, Kelly Forks, Noe Creek and Washington Creek Campgrounds fees increased from $7 to $10 per night.

Laird Park and Little Boulder Campgrounds fees increased from $8 to $12 per night.

Elk Creek Campground (which has electrical hook-ups) fee increased from $15 to $20 per night.

Bald Mountain Lookout rental fee increased from $35 to $45 per night.

Kelly Forks Cabin rental fee increased from $55 to $65 per night.

Liz Butte Cabin rental fee increased from $20 to $40 per night.
 

Central Zone

Apgar, Wild Goose, Wilderness Gateway, Wendover, White Sand, Whitehouse and O’Hara Bar Campgrounds fees increased from $8 to $14.00 per night.

Jerry Johnson Campground fee increased from $10 to $14 per night.

Powell Campground sites without hookups increased from $8 to $14 and sites with hookups from $14 to $20.

Glade Creek Group Campground fee increased from $35 to $50 (for five camping spots) per night.

Lolo Pass Visitor Center new fees are $5.00 per day, $35.00 per season, $20.00 for 5 day bundle; eliminate $5.00 second car pass.

Castle Butte Lookout rental fee increased from $35 to $45 per night.
 

South Zone

Castle Creek and South Fork Campgrounds fee increased from $8 to $12 per night.

Fish Creek Campground fee increased from $6 to $12 per night.

Spring Bar Campground on the Salmon River fee increased from $10 to $12 per night.

Red River Campground fee increased from $6 to $12 per night.

Jerry Walker Cabin located near the Elk City rental fee increased from $20 to $40 per night.

Reserve lookouts and cabin rentals at: http://www.recreation.gov/.

For more information, please contact your local Forest Service office or visit our website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/nezperceclearwater/recreation/camping-cabins.

Christmas tree permits available at Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

In this area, it is a popular tradition to begin the holiday season with an outing to the forest to cut the family Christmas tree. Permits are required for each tree you are going to cut. Permits are $5 each and are limited to three per family.

The permits can be purchased from any of our Forest offices or at the following local vendors: Harpster Store in Harpster, Tom Cat’s Sporting Goods in Kooskia, Rae Brothers Sporting Goods and Tackett’s Saw Service in Grangeville, Cloninger’s Harvest Foods in Kamiah, Helmer Store & Cafe in Helmer, Idaho Rigging in Potlatch, Tri-State Outfitters and Woodland Enterprises in Moscow, and DYNW (Discover Your Northwest) at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center, and Lochsa Lodge at Powell.

“Cutting a Christmas Tree on Your Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests” brochure is available at all forest offices and on the forest website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/nezperceclearwater/passes-permits/forestproducts.

As a general rule, no special areas are designated for Christmas tree cutting. Here are some tips when choosing and cutting your Christmas tree:

Cut your tree at least 200 feet away from well-traveled roads, flowing water, campgrounds and recreation sites.

It is permissible to cut trees from the cut banks and fill slopes of lesser-traveled roads.

Select your trees from thickets or overstocked areas. Avoid removing trees from plantations or other areas where tree growth is sparse.

Select a tree that is the right height for your needs. Please don’t cut a large tree just to take the top.

Pile all discarded branches away from roads, ditches and culverts.

Cut your tree as close to the ground as possible. Stumps should be eight inches or less.

Attach a permit to each cut tree prior to transporting it in your vehicle.

For more information, call or visit your local Forest Service office.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests welcome Labor Day visitors

Despite the recent rash of wildfires, Labor Day visitors to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests can still find plenty of safe, smoke-free places to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities.

Fire danger is still very high, and there are a few road and trail closures due to active wildfires. Other roads may be closed because of ongoing construction.

For current fire information and a list of closures please visit the Forests’ website, www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater, or log on to www.inciweb.org.

You’re also invited to call your local Forest Service office for updates on road, trail and campground conditions.

All offices will close Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day. Offices will resume normal business hours on Sept. 2.

There are currently no campfire restrictions on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; however, due to tinder-dry brush and timber and the potential for a fast-moving blaze, forest users are urged to use common sense and extreme care when building campfires. Never, ever leave a campfire unattended!

Highway 14 / South Fork Clearwater River Corridor

Visitors to the Red River Ranger District are reminded that there is a detour at the junction of Highway 14 and Red River Road (#222) for a culvert installation. A one-lane bridge is in place to allow all traffic around the construction.

All campgrounds are open and available for use, with Red River Campground being the only one with potable water and the only fee campground ($6/night) on the district.

Water at Granite Springs Campground should be boiled before drinking. Potable water is also available at the Red River Administrative Site at the junction of Roads 222 and 234.

Officials are assessing the current fire situation which has resulted in an area closure of much of the district south of the Magruder Road Corridor (Forest Road 468) in the hope of revoking the closure order before Labor Day.

A copy of the rescission of that closure will be posted at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices when it is signed, or call the Red River Ranger Station at 208-842-2245 for the latest information.

Selway River Corridor

The Selway River Road is open. Johnson Bar and O’Hara Bar Campgrounds on the Moose Creek Ranger District remain closed due to the Johnson Bar Fire. Campgrounds up river from O’Hara Campground are open. Roads 651 and 470 remain closed. Falls Point Road 443 and Indian Hill Road 290 remain closed to vehicles over 50 inches.

Highway 95/Salmon River Corridor

The South Fork/ Castle Creek Campground on the South Fork of the Clearwater River has potable water, dumpsters and a camp host. Fish Creek Campground located seven miles south of Grangeville has potable water and a camp host. Spring Bar Campground located on the Main Salmon River has potable water and dumpsters.

Palouse Corridor

The Elk Creek Campground, located one mile east of Elk River, includes sites that have electrical hookups. Laird Park Campground and Little Boulder Campground offer both campsites and group picnic areas (call the ranger station to reserve the group picnic sites).

There are also campsites at Giant White Pine Campground north of Harvard. Giant White Pine Campground will close for the season on Sept. 8; Laird Park will close a few days later, on Sept. 22. Little Boulder and Elk Creek campgrounds will stay open through Oct. 31.

Due to winter shutdown, no water will be available as of Sept. 30. Bald Mountain Lookout will close Sept. 28.

North Fork Clearwater River Corridor

On the North Fork Ranger District, the Aquarius, Washington Creek, Noe Creek, Kelly Forks and Hidden Creek Campgrounds are open. There is no garbage collection at these sites, so please remember to pack-it-in/pack-it-out.

All North Fork campgrounds are scheduled to remain open through Oct. 31 and fees will be charged until the campgrounds close for the winter. Effective Sept. 16, potable water will no longer be available at Aquarius Campground.

The water at Washington Creek, Hidden Creek, Kelly Forks and Noe Creek Campgrounds will be turned off on Sept. 29. Due to ongoing logging activity, Mush Saddle Road 711 and Cool Creek Road 5295 will remain closed through Labor Day.

Highway 12 Corridor

Apgar, Wendover and Whitehouse Campgrounds are open, but all three campgrounds are slated to close Sept. 3. At the popular Wilderness Gateway Campground, Camp Loops A and D will close Sept. 3, and Loops B and C will be up and running until Nov. 3. Powell Campground will also close Nov. 3. Wild Goose Campground is currently closed due to fire activity in the area.

The Elk Summit Campground and White Sands Campground will remain open as long as weather permits. Water service to campgrounds along the Highway 12 Corridor will shut down at different intervals right after Labor Day. If camping after Labor Day, please be prepared to camp without water.

The Lochsa Historical Ranger Station (49 miles east of Kooskia) will close on September 9. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The Lolo Pass Visitor Center near the Idaho-Montana state is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (PST) daily through Aug. 31. Beginning Sept. 1, the Visitor Center will be closed on Tuesdays.