Are the forest fires out after our recent rainstorms? No. They’re mostly contained or under control, but there’s still some fire activity, and forest officials say there will be smoke, smoldering and possibly flare-ups until the snow flies.

Have all the area closures been lifted? No. About 25,000 acres of the Boise National Forest in the Pine area are still closed , according to spokesman David Olson. Some trails also remain closed. People can see a map of the closed area at inciweb.org. All fire-area closures on the Payette and Sawtooth National Forests have been lifted.

Is it safe to go into burned areas? Anyone entering a burned area should be cautious. Fire is no longer the primary danger, Forest Service officials say, but there are many others. Burned trees can fall over, rocks can dislodge and roll downhill, and burned roots and stumps create small sinkholes that you can step into and twist an ankle or knee. Rainstorms can also create flash flooding. People also can expect downed trees on trails and, possibly, on backroads after windstorms.