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Updates on fires that may affect early season
hunts |
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September 13, 2017 |
By Roger Phillips
IDFG Public Information Specialist
Here's an overview of wildfires that may affect
hunters. This post will be periodically updated,
but wildfires are dynamic and situations can
constantly change. We will do our best to keep
hunters informed about what fires are affecting
early season hunts.
This is for general information on a large-scale
basis. Please follow links for more details.
F&G has more detailed information on links on
its Fire
Information Page.
Here's a statewide map and overview of
fires and hunting units.
Panhandle region
Light fire activity. The Buck Fire is burning in
Unit 7. According to the Forest Service, the
fire is located on the St. Joe Ranger District,
approximately 17 miles southeast of Avery and is
burning in steep terrain and heavy fuels along
Buck Creek. Here's more information about the
Buck Creek Fire.
Clearwater Region
Major fire activity in Units 12, 14, 17, 16A, 19
and 20, as well as fires in 8A and 18. People
heading to the Clearwater area, especially the
Lochsa/Selway areas, should check for fires and
fire closures at the Nez-Perce/Clearwater
National Forest. The Hanover Fire is also
burning south of Grangeville and north of the
Salmon River.
The Hanover fire is 26,342 acres and is 88
percent contained. The fire remains heavily
patrolled and containment lines actively
monitored.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect in the
Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, Riverbreaks,
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and
Uplands. The restrictions do not include
wilderness areas. Here's information on
fire
restrictions across the state.
Fire managers with the Nez Perce-Clearwater
National Forests are lifting some area closures
because of cooler, wetter weather.
Two area closures around the Pronghorn (Unit
16A) and Rattlesnake fires, both located on the
Red River Ranger District were lifted Sept. 13,
area closure associated with the Strychnine
fire, located on the Palouse Ranger District, is
expected to be lifted September 14.
Southwest Region
The Highline Fire is burning in Unit 20A and
there is a large fire closure area that includes
portions of Unit 26.
A revised order reopens the south and southeast
corner of the fire area that had been closed on
September 4, which reopens the Big Creek Trail
#196 and everything south of the trail as well
as adjusting the east boundary to the west to
open the airstrips at Cold Meadows, Cabin Creek
and Soldier Bar.
A large fire and closure area in Unit 34 and a
large closure areas around Deadwood Reservoir
area caused by the Bearskin Fire Complex.
The Bearskin Fire area closure includes the
Deadwood Reservoir area and all the campgrounds
and trails in the vicinity. NFS Road 582 through
Bear Valley remains open except between the
junctions of NFS Roads 545 and 515 which is
closed for construction. Work is expected to
last into October.
There's also fire rehabilitation from last
year's Pioneer fire that affects a small portion
of 33 and 39, adjacent to Idaho 21. Popular
campgrounds are affected include Whoop Em Up,
Edna Creek, Willow Creek.
Magic Valley Region
Little fire activity in the region except the
1,500 acre Piney Fire on the Nevada border in
Unit 54 that is 99 percent contained. Also, the
400-acre Meadow Creek Fire in Unit 56 is 60
percent contained.
Southeast Region
Currently no wildfires in the region.
Upper Snake Region
Currently no fires in the region.
Salmon Region
A fire and closure area are in Unit 27 in the
backcountry west of Challis caused by the Ibex
Fire.
Fish and Game's policy on hunts that are
affected by fires
Hunters have the option of exchanging tags at
any Fish and Game regional office, but they must
do so before their hunt starts.
All hunters should consider that fire conditions
can change quickly with favorable weather and
forests can reopen. Fire season tends to taper
off by late September and is usually over by
mid-October when most any-weapon hunts start.
Fish and Game's standard policy is to not change
hunts or rules due to fire closures because
entire hunting units are rarely closed, and fire
restriction rarely last through the entire
hunting season, however, in rare cases rain
checks are issued if an entire hunt unit is
closed and will likely be closed throughout the
season. |
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