Road closures expand as flooding continues

In an announcement Tuesday, officials with the Boise National Forest announced that additional roads and trails and a campground in the Mountain Home Ranger District have closed due to flooding that's leading to road failures and putting the public safety at risk.

The Mountain Home Ranger District has temporarily closed Smith Creek and Roaring River roads as well as the South Fork Boise River area.

In addition, the Elk Flat Campground Area, including the entire campground and interior roads are closed due to the high water mark.

Included in the closure order are the National Forest System Road 121 and 165 and the following access roads and camping areas: 121D and D1, 121G, 121H, 121I, 121J, 121K, 121L, 121M, 121N, 121O, 121P, 121Q, 121R, 121S, 121T, 121U.

Meanwhile, the Idaho City Ranger District has temporarily closing Granite and Rabbit Creek roads as well as Edna Creek/Crooked River Road.

People planning on traveling to the nearby mountains are advised to go online to the Boise National Forest site at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices for updated closure orders and maps.

With the warmer weather and snow melt, U.S. Forest Service managers and recreation specialists are patrolling roads and assessing damage from the record snow fall and spring runoff. Reports indicate significant road damage has occurred throughout the Boise National Forest.

Visitors to these forest areas are reminded to be cautious this time of year when weather conditions are unpredictable. Snow accumulation is still high on the forest. Roads may be muddy or snow covered.