BLM assessing windstorm damage

COEUR d'ALENE — Recreation managers for the Bureau of Land Management’s Coeur d’Alene Field Office are assessing damage left by the intense windstorm that swept through North Idaho on Jan. 13.

Downed trees are littering recreation sites and trails.

The following BLM sites were significantly impacted from the storm: the Mineral Ridge recreation area and trail; the John C. Pointer Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary trail at Cougar Bay; the Gamlin Lake recreation area and trail system; the Beauty Bay picnic area and loop trail; and trails at the Blue Creek Bay recreation area.

“The mild winter conditions are inviting lots of visitors to public lands, which is outstanding,” said acting Coeur d’Alene Field Manager Scott Pavey. “However, we want everyone to be aware of potential hazards that could be left over from last week’s devastating windstorm.”

A complete assessment and removal of the downed trees will take time, and the BLM encourages visitors to these sites to be cautious and aware of their surroundings when recreating. Windstorms can often cause debris to be hung up in trees and fall at a later time.