Environment

Forest service requires new bear resistant food storage in the Idaho Panhandle

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 4:48pm

Forest service requires new bear resistant food storage in the Idaho Panhandle

Some recreation in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests will now require new food storage requirements while in the region's back and front country.

Starting October 11th, forest visitors will need to store food items in a "bear resistant manner" and dispose of wildlife attracts in a proper manner. Forest officials say the new food storage requirement will reduce human and wildlife conflicts because of readily available food sources.

The requirement will be in effect from April 1st to December 1st on an annual basis.

Officials say the requirements depend on your recreation location.

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NASA looking into large Artic Ozone loss

Submitted by Aaron Luna, KXLY Reporter/Weekend Weather Anchor

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, 7:26pm

NASA looking into large Artic Ozone loss

Scientists from 9 countries are examining data to find out more on an unprecedented hole in the ozone layer above the Artic from December to March of this year. NASA says the hole developed from a long period of extremely low temperatures in the stratospheric ozonelayer. Ozone holes usually form around spring.

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Forest service keeping two campgrounds open during fall season

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 12:04pm

Forest service keeping two campgrounds open during fall season

Instead of keeping some of their campgrounds closed after Labor Day, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District is extending a trial season for some of their campgrounds, keeping them open and free for public use.

“We’ve had requests to open the campgrounds in the fall to accommodate both hunters and people who enjoy fall camping. This year we decided to experiment with an extended season to determine how much use these sites would receive after Labor Day,” said deputy district ranger Kimberly Johnson.

For the fall season, Big Hank and Bumblebee campgrounds will be open for free public use through October 31st. Visitors are required to bring their own water and pack out their own trash. Outhouses will remain open for use.

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Controlled Burn Planned For Idaho

Submitted by Kristy Mylroie, Spokane Public Schools Blogger

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 1:01am

The Bureau of Land Management said weather conditions are ideal for a controlled burn northwest of Mullan, Idaho.

The BLM plans to conduct that burn starting at noon on Friday, September 23rd in a previously logged area about 3 miles outside of town.

The effort is to clear the slash and litter, as well as fire harden the stumps of the Doulas Fir trees and Ponderosa Pines left behind on the 45 acre site.

Smoke will be visible from Interstate 90, as well as in the community of Mullan.

Fire crews plan to work closely with the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group, the National Weather Service, and the Idaho Department of Quality to minimize the smoke impact.

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St. Regis Road Closed

Submitted by Kristy Mylroie, Spokane Public Schools Blogger

Thursday, September 15th, 2011, 4:48pm

Anyone headed to the big city - Coeur d'Alene or Spokane - from the St. Joe River area heed warning. And, vice versa for people headed from said big city into the country. Idaho Panhandle National Forest says the popular St. Regis Road (Forest Highway 50) is closed. Crews are replacing culverts in the Bear Springs and Float Creek area.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forest suggested the following alternative routes:

Those travelers who wish to cross over Gold Pass between St. Regis, Montana and the upper St. Joe River will need to use an alternate route. Regular passenger vehicles traveling between St. Regis and the upper St.

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Idaho Panhandle sees increase of lightning-sparked wildfires

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Monday, September 12th, 2011, 12:19pm

Idaho Panhandle sees increase of lightning-sparked wildfires

Idaho Panhandle National Forests is seeing an increase in wildfire activity in their neck of the woods. So far since the start of September, over 70 individual starts have been reported. The Forest Service is reporting that each of the fires were sparked by lightning during the past few weeks.

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Hiawatha and Silver Mountain Deal

Submitted by Kristy Mylroie, Spokane Public Schools Blogger

Friday, September 9th, 2011, 5:42pm

I've heard about the Route of the Hiawatha since I lived to Missoula, Montana. Maybe this year, I'll finally join the thousands of others who bike the route along Lookout Pass every year.

It was a first for a lot of people this year. Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, who operates the Hiawatha, reports record numbers from August, 12,844 visits, a 4.4% increase.

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