Claremont Fire closed Foothills trails. Officials urge Boise residents to stay away
With crews still working to contain the Claremont Fire in the Boise Foothills, city officials are urging the public to stay off closed recreation trails.
The fire, which began July 6 and has burned 6,800 acres, caused trail closures in Hulls Gulch and the Military Reserve. Trails between 8th Street and Rocky Canyon also remain closed.
The fire is at 58% containment, according to Watch Duty, with an expected full containment date of Aug. 1.
Ridge to Rivers has an online interactive map to help recreationists find open trails at ridgetorivers.org/trails/interactive-map/.
“Thank you to the fire crews who have worked tirelessly to stop the Claremont Fire since it sparked earlier this month,” Foothills and Open Space Superintendent Lisa Duplessie said in a news release. “We are grateful for the support provided by our partners at the BLM, and we continue to urge trail users to remain patient and stay out of closed areas for their own safety.”
Ridge to Rivers trails that are currently open include: Corrals Trail (out-and-back only), Scott’s Trail (out-and-back only), Bob’s Trail, Sideshow Trail, Urban Connector Trail, Sheep Camp Trail, Dry Creek Trail, Shingle Creek Trail, Hard Guy Trail and Highlands Trail. The agency also said Hillside to Hollow, Polecat Gulch and Hawkins Range Reserve are safe for hiking or riding.
Trails open within the Boise River Wildfire Management Area include the Homestead Trail, Cobb Trail and West Highland Valley Trail. Bogus Basin also remains open.
Officials say it will take time for the Ridge to Rivers crew to assess the burned trail areas and open space reserves once closed areas reopen. Fixes will likely need to be made to trail signage, fencing and wooden bridges. Ridge to Rivers will work with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a plan for rehabilitation of burned areas.
“Please rest assured we are working with our trail partners to restore public access as it is deemed safe,” Ridge to Rivers Trail Manager David Gordon said. “The foothills are resilient, and the trail team has extensive experience rebuilding and rehabbing trails in a variety of conditions. We are committed to maintaining the recreational opportunities Boiseans know and love.”
Additional information on trail conditions can be found on the Ridge to Rivers Facebook page.
