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NEWS RELEASE: Bluff Creek Complex Fires Prompt Closures on St. Joe 07-29-2024
Bluff Creek Complex
Publication Type: Announcement - 07/29/2024 - 15:45
Forest Service News Release
Bluff Creek Complex Fires Prompt Closures on St. Joe
Roads Close in Bluff Creek Area, Gold Flat Camp Closes on St. Joe River Road
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho July 9, 2024—The Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) today announced the temporary closure of the Gold Flat undeveloped campsite 8.6 miles north of Red Ives Cabin on the St. Joe River Road and the temporary closure of segments of Forest Development Roads 509, 1258, 1956F, and 322 in the Bluff Creek area (see map for details). The closure will be in effect until 1 November unless it is rescinded sooner.
The closures were prompted by activity on the Bluff Creek Complex fires active along the ridge between the East and West Forks of Bluff Creek, about 22 miles upstream on the St. Joe River from Avery. As the first significant wildfires on the IPNF in the 2024 season, the Bluff Creek Complex offers a reminder that wildfires can necessitate emergency closures of roads and areas on short notice anywhere on the forest.
The Forest Service asks the public to be informed of fire conditions before traveling on the forest during fire season. Check inciweb.wildfire.gov for nationwide information on larger fires, the forest alerts webpage for current closures, and the Coeur d’Alene Interagency Dispatch Center for the latest information about fires on the forest.
“As emergency closures can cause real inconvenience to the public, we only implement them where there’s a true need,” says Kary Maddox, Fire Public Information Officer for the IPNF. “Road and area closures for wildfire activity protect the safety of firefighters and the public and help maximize firefighting effectiveness by limiting traffic and occupancy to official vehicles and personnel. We thank the community for their cooperation with all closures and direction from Forest Service officials during fires.”
The official closure order and maps of the closed areas can be found on the IPNF alerts webpage.
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