RBC | The White River National Forest is offering a few tips for forest visitors this busy holiday weekend.
“We hope everyone has a happy Fourth of July weekend,” said Acting White River National Forest Supervisor Heather Noel. “Taking a few precautions will ensure your weekend is safe and enjoyable.”
The White River National Forest recently renewed its long-standing food storage order, which covers all its developed campgrounds and many dispersed camping areas to help minimize problems between forest visitors and black bears.
The basic rules of the food storage order are to keep your food, garbage, coolers, pet food, canned or bottled beverages, and other bear attractants in a hard-sided vehicle, the bear-resistant food lockers provided at many developed sites, or an approved bear-resistant food container, unless you are actively preparing food or within 100 feet of it during daytime hours.
Visitors planning to enjoy the forest’s lakes and rivers should remember that the waters of the White River National Forest can be deceivingly cold, and many of the rivers and creeks on the forest continue to run high. Boaters, rafters and paddleboarders should always wear a life jacket.
The forest has been experiencing early monsoonal storms, and conditions can change rapidly. Swift streams can be dangerous for all forest users, but particularly for small children and pets. Never attempt to drive through flood waters because currents can be strong and the water much deeper than it appears.
Despite an early arrival of monsoonal moisture, basic common sense with campfires continues to be necessary. Light fuels such as grass and brush dry out quickly, and campfires that are abandoned without being cold to the touch can rekindle days later.
And a final reminder — fireworks are never allowed on National Forest System lands.
The road and trail conditions as well as additional regulations and information can be found on www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.
