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Recreation Spots Near Idaho City Reopen After Destructive 2016 Wildfire

Chadd Cripe
/
Idaho Statesman
The view from one of the yurts near Idaho City in the winter.

The Pioneer Fire scorched almost 293-square-miles near Idaho City in 2016. The Forest Service is still salvaging burned logs and recovering much of the Boise National Forest affected by the gigantic wildfire.

Last year, closures due to the burn area meant popular recreation areas were out of reach – including some backcountry yurts operated by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Now, three of the six original yurts will reopen.

The Department’s four Park N’ Ski lots in the area will also be open, connecting cross-country skiers and snowshoers to non-motorized trails. But a number of areas to the west and southwest of Lowman remain closed to snowmobiles as salvage logging continues.

In a press release, the Idaho City Ranger District warns people who go in the backcountry that even open areas will have dead trees that could fall and avalanche dangers remain. Officials recommend that recreationists take safety equipment on their winter adventures.
 

Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill

Copyright 2017 Boise State Public Radio

Frankie Barnhill was the Senior Producer of Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio's daily show and podcast.

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