Closures lifted for Character Complex Fire

SMELTERVILLE – All closures associated with the Character Complex Fire on the Coeur d’Alene River have been lifted.

Although work continues in and around the fire perimeter, fire managers confidently arrived at the decision to lift closures. Extra caution should always be exercised in burned areas, as wildfire weakens trees, destabilizes soil, increases the chance of flash flooding, and will create hidden hazards like burned out stump holes. Whether hunting, hiking, or just going for a drive in the woods, it is good practice have a plan, tell someone where you are going (especially when recreating alone), and make informed decisions in areas of increased hazards.

Visitors to the area can expect to see graders on the roads and some heavy equipment around the fire area as suppression repair work wraps up. As always, please exercise caution on forest roads, particularly on narrow sections and blind corners.

With the potential for increased recreation in the area, in addition to forest employees performing fire and field work, hunters are reminded to remain diligent about knowing and properly identifying a target.

Specific closure area location information for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, including maps, are posted on the IPNF Alerts & Notices web page (https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices).

The only closure remaining on the IPNF is around the Tumbledown Fire on the St. Joe Ranger District.

Statewide closure information is provided on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Fire Map web page (https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/).