Watch for hazards on forest roads in spring

Rolling rocks, debris and toppled trees are common in fire areas where foliage is no longer present to slow and absorb their descent, according to officials from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

With forests throughout North Idaho and Eastern Washington recovering from one of the worst fire seasons on record, plenty of areas require extra caution.

“When you enter a burned area, treat it as if you have never been there,” the forest officials said in a media release after surveying the borders of the Teepee Complex Fires.

“Conditions change minute to minute in recently burned areas, especially in the springtime. Consider alternative routes and their current availability. If the location you are recreating in doesn’t have a second route be prepared with the appropriate gear,” they add, noting that rockfall could suddenly block a road and leave visitors stranded.

Let people know your exact itinerary and which roads you’ll be using, otherwise with no cell phone service you could find yourself stranded with no one likely to come to your aid.

The Colville National Forest warns that many roads into last year’s fire areas will remain closed even after the snow melts.

Burned areas, and the associated roads and trails leading into burned areas, remain closed with a few exceptions,” said Franklin Pemberton, forest spokesman.

“Burned areas will have new hazards including weakened burned trees, unstable soils, risk of rolling rocks, debris flows, flooding and hazardous road conditions.

“Closures are in place to keep the public from entering hazardous conditions and we anticipate modifying or lifting them as areas stabilize.”

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are monitoring road conditions as snow recedes, but so far have not found any notable hazards, said Shoshana M. Cooper, forest spokeswoman. That could change as spring advances, she said.

Other hazards to consider:
• Thunderstorms, long duration storms, and rain-on-snow events can produce debris flows which may occur throughout the burned areas and downstream of these areas.
• Snags and woody debris can clog culverts and bridges which may wash out those structures.
• Floating and submerged logs may pose extreme hazards to boaters, rafters, and waders.
• =Trees may fall at any time, but are especially susceptible to failure during high wind and/or heavy rain or snow.