Road warnings

Increased snow melt and rain are creating hazardous conditions on forest roads throughout the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

With warmer weather, Forest Service employees and forest visitors accessing more of the backcountry discovered deep mud and unstable road beds due to saturated soils.

Two national forest roads were closed due to flooding and road damage.

Both the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District Forest Road 1575 (also known as the Beauty-Cedar Road) and Forest Road 805 (also known as the West Fork Eagle Creek Road) are closed due to extensive road damage and an extremely soft roadbed.

The roads will remain closed until they are repaired.

A timeframe for road repairs has not yet been identified and is dependent on road repair funding availability.

"As more people are able to venture farther into the forest this season it is likely that additional road damage will be discovered, and further emergency closures may be needed to provide for public safety and prevent additional damage," according to a press release.

Forest visitors are urged to use caution, and if visitors find themselves on a soft roadbed they should turn around before they become stuck or cause damage to the road which could result in additional road closures.

Before venturing into the forest early this season, forest visitors are encouraged to contact their local Forest Service office for the latest information on forest road conditions.