Fire-related road and trail closures lifted following rain

Now that significant rain has fallen, Clearwater National Forest managers have lifted closures of roads and trails put into effect earlier this season for public safety because of fires.

Deception Saddle Road 255 along Kelly Creek on the North Fork Ranger District is the only exception. It remains closed because rocks continue to roll down steep, burned-over slopes onto the roadway.

Roads now open include Toboggan Ridge Road 581 on the North Fork District and Savage Pass Road 360 to Elk Summit on the Powell Ranger District, both popular routes for hunters.

Fires started by lightning are natural events and essential to help restore a diverse forest in the backcountry. Some are suppressed, and some are managed as "wildland fire use events" to benefit the landscape.

Lightning-ignited fires and prescribed fires (lit to put fire in areas where it will be of benefit) play an important role in elk recovery efforts. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game support the Clearwater National Forest in its use of prescribed and wildland fire-use fires to help create wildlife habitat.

For additional information call the Forest Service office in Orofino at 208-476-4541.