Forest roads coated with ice |
| January 7, 2014 |
|
Despite the lack of snow at lower elevations,
many forest roads throughout north Idaho are
coated in a thick layer of ice, resulting in
multiple slide-offs and accidents. Forest
Service officials are urging members of the
public to avoid traveling on icy forest roads,
but if travel cannot be avoided, tire chains and
low speeds are strongly advised. The weather’s recent freeze/thaw cycle has melted snow on hillsides during the day, which is re-freezing across forest roads at night. During the weekend of January 4, 2014, multiple accidents were reported due to vehicles sliding off forest roads. Some of the most common areas for accidents were along the Bunco Road and Nettleton Gulch, where even emergency vehicles and tow trucks responding to slide-offs slid off the road. Forest officials are monitoring the situation and may temporarily close gates in areas where large amounts of ice are present or areas with a significant number of vehicle accidents. Before traveling into the forest, members of the public are encouraged to check weather forecasts and local conditions. During winter months chains and other safety equipment should always be carried, and travelers should be prepared to turn back based on conditions. For more information on road conditions on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf. |