Extended holiday hours for Christmas tree permit sales

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District’s Fernan Office, located at 2502 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, will be selling Christmas tree permits today, and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Silver Valley Office, located at 173 Commerce Drive, Smelterville, will be open today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sell tree permits.

Christmas tree permits cost $5 each. Additional information about Christmas tree cutting on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/passes-permits.

Fourth-graders and homeschooled equivalent fourth-graders, are eligible to receive a free Christmas tree permit through the U.S. Forest Service’s Every Kid in a Park initiative. To receive their free tree permit, students need to complete an activity at www.everykidinapark.gov, print the voucher and bring it to any Forest Service office. The student needs to be present and must show a valid paper voucher or an Every Kid in a Park pass obtained from the website or participating federal agency. A mail-order form is not an option for this program.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests offers an abundant choice of trees from which to choose. As you prepare to search for the perfect tree, be prepared for cold weather and snow. Dress warmly, carry extra food and hot drinks, and always let someone know your travel plans including destination and expected time of arrival back home. Enjoy the holiday season and your national forest!