Emergency closure issued for Idaho’s Grimes Creek camping area ahead of Labor Day
Officials have issued an emergency closure for a popular dispersed camping area near Boise ahead of the last major camping weekend of the year.
According to a U.S. Forest Service closure order posted online Wednesday, the closure went into effect on Tuesday morning and extends through Sept. 1, 2021. It covers Grimes Creek Road, also known as Forest Service Road 364, beginning 2.2 miles from its intersection with Idaho 21. It also covers a portion of Clear Creek Road, or Forest Service Road 261, from its intersection with Grimes Creek Road to its intersection with Forest Service Road 261A. The closure also affects the area 300 feet from the center line of of each road in both directions.
Ahead of Memorial Day, Boise National Forest employees told the Statesman they were already seeing more campers and recreationists than usual. They also said they were dealing with litter and sanitation issues, including human waste left at some sites.
“Grimes Creek has the heaviest recreation impact in all of Boise County,” Boise County Sheriff Scott Turner said in a Forest Service news release. “Unlawful and disruptive activities tax law enforcement and emergency resources, including wildfire response. We need to address the destructive behavior and resource damage before it is too late.”
Residents near Grimes Creek are “fed up with the destructive behavior” in the area, officials said.
“Negative visitor impacts include extensive littering, off-road vehicles (UTVS/ATVs) creating illegal trails and exceeding posted speed limits — damaging natural resources and increasing potential for accidents,” the news release said.
Campers have also left campfires burning, which could potentially spark wildfires in the forest.
Late last month, the Forest Service announced it would partner with emergency first responders in Boise County, including the Boise County Office of Emergency Management and the Boise County Sheriff’s Office, to address the concerns.
“With the help of our partners, and the community, we are developing short- and long-term solutions,” said Brant Petersen, Idaho City District Ranger, in the news release. “We want to continue to provide a safe area that people can enjoy and improve the sanitation issues while restoring riparian areas along the creek.”
