New closures take effect in Mountain Home Ranger District area

As of last Friday, Nov. 9, a new closure area is in effect for the Mountain Home Ranger District that only includes Big Roaring Campground, Little Roaring Campground and Wagontown Loop Road (Forest Service Road #183 and its sub roads).

All other areas previously closed by the Trinity Ridge Fire on the Mountain Home Ranger District by the are now open.

The fire, which began Aug. 3 and burned 146,832 acres, is now officially 100 percent contained, meaning it is no longer expanding. Snow in the mountains is rapidly putting out the remaining hotspots inside the fire perimeter.

Snow is covering some sections of Forest Service roads. Drivers should use caution and watch out for rolling rocks, falling trees and limbs during high winds. All road work is expected to finish up this week.

On the Idaho City Ranger District side of the fire, only a small closure area remains.

The Browns Creek Trail (#48) remains closed starting at the Middle Fork Boise River going north and the Hot Creek Trail (#47) is open to foot traffic only.

Forest crews and contractors are making good progress throughout the fire area with emergency rehabilitation for watershed protection and road and trail repairs adjusted for the snow accumulations at higher elevations.

Crews installed 14 new culverts on various roads including FS Road #255, FS Road # 290, FS Road #172 and FS Road #183.

Drivers can expect up to two-hour delays on some of those forest roads while crews continue to install new culverts.

Aerial straw mulching planned for nearly 2,000 acres this fall is delayed due to issues that developed during the contracting process. Work will likely finish next spring.