Prescribed burn operations underway in Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Prescribed fire operations for Idaho Panhandle National Forests began Friday.

The work is expected to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow, the U.S. Forest Service said in a Friday news release. Prescribed fires are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

• Priest Lake Ranger District: Projects north of Priest River in the vicinity of Jasper Mountain and Quartz Creek

• Bonners Ferry Ranger District: Projects in the Boulder, Snow, Hellroaring and Twentymile Creek drainages

• Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District: The Ridge Creek project in the drainages of Chilco, Conie, East Fork Hayden, Middle Fork Hudlow and West Fork Hudlow creeks, as well as projects in the Burnt Cabin drainage and near Prichard

• St. Joe Ranger District: Projects in the Kelly Creek drainage (south of Avery) and another 12 miles east of Avery in the Malin Creek drainage

Areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to fire.airnow.gov to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on headlights when smoke is encountered on the road.

"We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins," the Forest Service said. "If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled."

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Prescribed Fire StoryMap arcg.is/HTTHP0. County emergency management officials will be notified when burning begins.