Bluff Creek Complex fires prompt closures on St. Joe River Road
Idaho Panhandle National Forests have announced the closure of the Gold Flat undeveloped campsite 8.6 miles north of Red Ives Cabin on the St. Joe River Road and temporary closure of segments of Forest Development Roads 509, 1258, 1956F, and 322 in the Bluff Creek area. The closure will be in effect until Nov. 1.
Photo courtesy of Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Staff from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests announced Monday that the Gold Flat undeveloped campsite 8.6 miles north of Red Ives Cabin on the St. Joe River Road would experience a temporary closure.
There will also be a temporary closure of segments of Forest Development Roads 509, 1258, 1956F, and 322 in the Bluff Creek area.
The closure will be in effect until Nov. 1.
The closures are prompted by activity on the Bluff Creek Complex fires active along the ridge between the east and west forks of Bluff Creek, about 22 miles upstream on the St. Joe River from Avery.
The fires mark the first significant wildfires on the IPNF in the 2024 season.
The forest service asks the public to check on fire conditions before traveling on the forest.
Check nationwide wildland fire updates at ciweb.wildfire.gov, the forest alerts webpage for current closures and the Coeur d’Alene Interagency Dispatch Center for the latest information about forest fires.
Kary Maddox, fire public information officer, said the closures are only used by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests in emergencies.
“Road and area closures for wildfire activity protect the safety of firefighters and the public and help maximize firefighting effectiveness by limiting traffic and occupancy to official vehicles and personnel," Maddox said.
The official closure order and maps of the closed areas can be found on the IPNF alerts webpage.