Outdoors briefs for April 19, 2012
Residents reminded about river danger
Area agencies remind residents about the dangers of the Spokane River and other waterways this time of year.
When the weather starts getting warm, people turn to recreation, but the frigid water can be dangerous.
The current temperature of area lakes and rivers is below 40 degrees, and if a swimmer is not wearing protective clothing and/or a personal flotation device this may result in hypothermia or death.
Cold water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air.
The river also contains numerous hazards, including the current and debris. Several incidents in recent years have occurred near Corbin Park, where it is convenient to launch boats and rafts.
The river is especially dangerous due to the speed and volume of water. Avista Utilities is currently reporting 19,200 cubic feet per second, which is the average for this time of year.
The best thing to do is to stay away from the water if at all possible, wait until the river slows down and water temperatures rise, a press release states.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department will offer a free boater safety class on May 12. Call Deputy Bob Bjelland at 446-2250 for details and to register.
Prescribed burns planned
COEUR d'ALENE - The Idaho Panhandle National Forests plan to conduct prescribed burning during the spring and fall of 2012 on multiple locations across national forest system lands.
The planned fires are part of the forest's larger prescribed fire program designed to reduce hazardous fuels, improve big game habitat and improve forest health through prescribed burning during the spring and the fall.
Prescribed burning will only be conducted when certain weather, fuel moisture and smoke dispersion criteria are met, so the exact timing of burning is unknown.
Up to 12,000 acres of national forest system lands in North Idaho could be burned this spring and fall.
A complete list of planned prescribed fires including contact information and planned fire locations is available at northidahorxfire.com or (800) 232-FIRE.
'Unplug and Be Outside' April 21-28
Everyone is invited to "Unplug and Be Outside" by participating in more than 100 free or low-cost activities offered in Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, Idaho Falls and the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls area from April 21-28.
Activities include bird watching, fly-tying, rock climbing, geocaching, art classes, tennis and golf lessons, preschool storytimes, bike rides, ice skating, gardening, swimming and many more programs designed to get children and adults moving.
Children will receive passport cards. Those who participate in three or more activities will be entered into a drawing to win great prizes, including fishing rods, backpacks, Idaho State Parks pass, water bottles and more.
For a complete schedule of events, see www.unplugandbeoutside.com.
"Unplug and Be Outside" is sponsored by Be Outside, Idaho! and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
Info: Kendra Witt-Doyle at Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, (208) 286-3461, or Victoria Runnoe at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, (208) 287-2874
Loggers Fun Day scheduled April 21
NORDMAN - The 33rd annual Loggers Fun Day is set for April 21 in Nordman. The fun starts at noon. There is prize money and other prizes for cross cut, axe throw, chain saw, pole walk and tug-o-war. Three-man team entry fee is $25, and three-woman team entry fee is $20. Register your team now by calling 443-2538.