U.S. Forest Service - Boise National Forest

08/18/2026

𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas on the U.S. Forest Service - Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests! Continuing a 56 year tradition in which one of America’s 154 national forests provides the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, the Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests are proudly supplying the 2026 tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Known as “The People’s Tree,” this year’s selection is an 80 foot grand fir that will shine with thousands of handmade ornaments — and they’re inviting YOU to help share what makes Idaho special with the entire nation.

Find ornament guidelines at: www.uscapitolchristmastree.com

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, you can drop off your handmade ornaments at:
📍Boise National Forest Supervisor’s Office
1249 S. Vinnell Way, Suite 200
Boise, ID 83709
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

📫Or mail them to:
Attn: 2026 CCT Ornament Team
Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forest SO
1008 ID 64
Kamiah, ID 83536

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁: 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

🎄Let’s come together to create 10,000 ornaments and showcase Idaho’s creativity, communities, and history on the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree!

08/14/2026

🔥Attention Payette River Rafters!🔥

Due to ongoing fire operations along HWY 55, parking at the Banks Access site is currently limited.

Although the fire is contained, crews still have personnel, equipment, a water-fill tank, porta potties, and vehicles staged in the area. These are occupying several public parking spots—about eight at this time.

Please plan accordingly and give fire staff plenty of space to work. Thanks for your patience and cooperation!

08/14/2026

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝗕𝗼𝗴𝘂𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀

Work crews on the Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project, about 1 mile south of Bogus Basin, are continuing to make steady progress. As they move into a new section of the project area for the remainder of the season, some closures are being adjusted to keep everyone safe.

From 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟳 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, the following 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗮.𝗺. 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗽.𝗺. These areas will remain closed on weekday evenings; they will be open on weekends only.
⛔ Portions of Eastside ( #120) and Mr. Big ( #124) trails
⛔ All of Sinker Creek ( #122) and DB Connector ( #123) trails
⛔ Forest Road 297B2

🟢 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻.

A map and description of closed National Forest lands is available on our Alerts page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/alerts/deer-point-road-trail-and-area-closure-aug-17-nov-30-2026

This project is designed to reduce wildfire risk and address insect and disease impacts in the Boise Foothills.

For more background on the Deer Point Forest Stewardship Project, visit our April 2025 press release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/newsroom/releases/forest-health-project-begin-near-bogus-basin

08/13/2026

𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝟰𝟱𝟲

Forest Service Road 456 (Golden Gate Road), located approximately two miles south of Yellow Pine, will remain temporarily closed for public safety due to ongoing mineral exploration drilling.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝟴 𝗽.𝗺., and applies to all uses, including foot travel. This work is part of the Horse Heaven Exploration Project.

More information is available on the Boise National Forest Alerts page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/alerts/national-forest-system-road-456-closure-extension

08/12/2026

New Incident near Banks off Hwy 55

New Incident: Mile Marker 81 Fire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2026, 9:00am MT

(Banks, Idaho) – The Mile Marker 81 Fire is burning near the intersection of Highways 55 and 17, approximately 1 ½ miles northeast of Banks, Idaho. The fire was first reported about 3:00am and has grown to about 100 acres.

This fire is highly visible and impacting both highways. No evacuations have been put in place at this time. Boise County Sheriff’s Office will issue any evacuation notices if needed. The Idaho Transportation Department is establishing traffic control in the area. There will be a high amount of firefighter vehicle traffic on these highways and side roads. Use caution when travelling in the area for your safety and that of the firefighters.

Current resources on scene are 4 fire engines and a firefighter module with more resources and aircraft ordered. Two helicopters will be using the Payette River to fill its water bucket, so recreational users of the river are advised to stay clear. Other aircraft will be working on the fire as well. Do not use drones near this fire as it is dangerous to the aircraft and will hinder firefighting efforts if aircraft have to stop work due to a drone in the area.

,

08/11/2026

The Boise National Forest reminds the public that the Claremont Fire - Area, Road and Trail Closure is still in place on Forest Service lands within the fire area. Fire vehicles including large water tenders are increasingly encountering unauthorized public within the closure area. This closure is intended for the protection of public safety from hazards related to the Claremont Fire as well as the safety of fire personnel working in the area. For more information please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/alerts/claremont-fire-area-road-and-trail-closure

08/06/2026

Boise National Forest and its interagency partners to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Friday August 7, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

07/31/2026

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

Active Forest Management helps improve forest health, reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, and support local jobs. The Boise National Forest uses a variety of tools to do this work, including vegetation thinning, commercial logging, prescribed fire, and replanting.

Several projects are currently active, with more under contract and in various stages of implementation. These projects stretch across the forest from the Boise Foothills to Lake Cascade.

🌲 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁
Near Bogus Basin, this project uses selective thinning and commercial harvest to reduce wildfire risk and protect important recreation and communication infrastructure. Work performed by Upper Valley Contracting (Idaho Falls, ID).

🌲 𝗢𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁
About three miles northeast of Ola, this project focuses on removing hazardous fuels and trees affected by insects and disease. This will support healthier, more resilient forest stands—especially legacy trees. Work performed by Tucker’s Timber (Star, ID).

🌲 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝘆𝗰𝗸
West of Lake Cascade and in partnership with the Idaho Department of Lands, this Good Neighbor Authority timber sale aims to thin forest stands, reduce wildfire risk to adjacent communities, and provide marketable timber to local mills. Work performed by Brown Brothers (Emmett, ID).

Learn more about the Forest Service’s Active Forest Management Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/leadership/introducing-national-active-management-strategy

07/30/2026

Update from U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest on the Grandjean area closure.

The Grandjean Area Closure map we shared yesterday was apparently a preliminary version of the closure area map. This finalized version better reflects the boundaries of the closure area, as outlined in the official order.

The official order and a downloadable, geo-referenced closure area map can be found online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/alerts/grandjean-area-road-and-trail-closure


We sincerely apologize for the confusion!

07/28/2026

Grandjean update from the U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest

Sawtooth Lodge and Sacajawea Hot Springs remain accessible, but, in the interest of public safety, the has officially closed the area around the Grandjean Trailhead and Campground through Dec. 31, 2026. Forest Order 0414-04-165 and a map of the closure have been posted to our Alerts webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/alerts/grandjean-area-road-and-trail-closure

Visitors to the are advised to plan alternative access to the Sawtooth Wilderness trails as many trails in this area have been washed away during the debris flow event that prompted this closure.