Panhandle fire danger remains 'very high'

COEUR d'ALENE - A lack of rain and persistent warm and dry weather across the Idaho Panhandle are combining to keep much of the forest in "very high" fire danger.

Forest visitors are being urged to exercise extreme caution with campfires, cigarettes and other sources of ignition as they venture into the woods for hunting, camping, firewood gathering and other recreational pursuits.

"We are very concerned about the dry conditions throughout the forest and the occurrence of human-caused fires," said Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth. "We need the public's help in preventing wildfire."

Current long-term weather outlooks indicate no break in the weather pattern in the foreseeable future, which means the fire danger is likely to remain very high for at least a few more weeks.

During this year's fire season, firefighters across the Idaho Panhandle National Forests have suppressed all of the 12 human-caused and 42 lightning-caused fires.

"However, in these conditions it only takes one smoldering campfire or cigarette carelessly tossed out a window to cause the kind of devastating wildfires we have witnessed throughout the West this year," according to a press release.