Recreation safety newsletter March 2015

Editor's note: This is part of a series of monthly newsletters the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Recreation Safety Section is writing. It will cover safety, current events and other topics related to the backcountry and marine areas of Kootenai County.

COEUR d'ALENE - Due to a lack of snow, the barricades at the trailhead sites have been removed. This means that the forest roads normally open to full size vehicles, except when they are groomed for snowmobiles, are now open for travel.

However, those traveling the roads need to use extreme caution as there are several feet of snow in places and many roads are covered with a thick layer of ice.

Also, those traveling the roads need to bring the necessary equipment and supplies should they get stuck and have to spend some unexpected time in the forest.

Some of those items would include tire chains, shovel, warm clothing and footwear, extra food and water, a chain saw, fire-starting materials, and a full fuel tank.

It's also always a good idea to tell others where you plan to travel and your expected time of return. Your chances of being found by searchers are greatly increased if you follow this simple step.

In the last few weeks the sheriff's office backcountry unit has been called for several rescues. In nearly every case, the parties involved have not been prepared.

With temperatures still getting very cold at night, some of these folks came very close to being seriously injured or succumbing to hypothermia.

A reminder to ATV enthusiasts is to be sure to check the Forest Service motor vehicle use map before an outing.

Some trails are open year-round, some open April 1 and others May 22. These maps are available free of charge at the local ranger station. It is the rider's responsibility to be aware of the travel rules.

This time of year also brings out some people who feel they can drive their four-by-four vehicles anywhere, especially in muddy or wet areas away from roadways.

This activity destroys habitat and stream beds and when they are caught they are subject to arrest and steep fines. They could also have their vehicle towed.

The travel plan only allows motorized vehicles to travel on designated routes.

Due to the lack of snow and the warm late winter weather, boaters are also starting to come out on the lakes and rivers.

Boaters need to remember the water temperature is still very cold and exposure to the cold water can cause someone to become hypothermic very quickly.

Also, because of the snow runoff there is debris on the lakes and boaters need to be cautious while boating.

Avista currently has the Post Falls Dam open to control the runoff so boating on the Spokane River both above and below the dam is hazardous.

Objects that are normally submerged are exposed due to the dam being open.

Additionally, boaters need to be courteous to the landowners when operating on the Spokane River as the wakes from boats can cause severe shoreline erosion.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Recreation Safety Section is offering a free boating safety course on March 21. For information and to sign up contact Deputy Bob Bjelland at (208)446-2250 or rbjelland@kcgov.us.

Deputy Jeff Burns is part of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Recreation Safety Section. He can be contacted at (208) 215-0221, or at jburns@kcgov.us.