Some closures lifted on Middle Fork Ranger District
Extensive areas are now open to the public in the southern half of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in the Salmon Challis National Forest. Most of the area was closed because of fire activity on the Shower Bath Complex and the Cascade Complex.
New closure orders were signed September 12, which reduce the large area closure to two smaller closures. One is on the east side of the wilderness for the Shower Bath and Red Bluff Fires, and the other is on the west side of the wilderness for the Monumental Fire in the Cascade Complex. All areas in the south half of the wilderness outside these two new closures are open to the public.
The following general areas are now open: Boundary Creek Road (No. 551) and areas east and west of the road, Seafoam Road (No. 008) and Seafoam area, the Loon Creek -- Pinyon Creek Road (No. 172) and the Indian Springs Road (No. 004) and the areas surrounding them. The Sleeping Deer Road (No. 086) is open. However, the area south of the road is closed, and the area north of the road from Twin Peaks to Fly Creek is closed.
To view the detailed closure orders and maps for the Shower Bath-Red Bluff Fires and the Monumental Fire go to the Salmon-Challis National Forest Web site fs.fed.us/r4/sc and click on "current conditions."
The Middle Fork River corridor remains open to float boating from Indian Creek downstream. However, boaters cannot launch from Boundary Creek because of continuing fire activity near Roaring Creek.
Wood River Land Trust Hosts Business After Hours
The Wood River Land Trust invites the community to attend an open house held at its Hailey office on Thursday, September 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. The organization is hosting Business After Hours in conjunction with the Hailey Chamber of Commerce.
Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and Wood River Land Trust staff will be on hand to discuss current projects and answer questions. Those attending can tour the historic home that was renovated in 2003 and now serves as the organization's office.
The office is located at 119 East Bullion in Hailey.
For more information, contact Morgan Buckert at 788-3947 or mbuckert@woodriverlandtrust.org.
Wood River Land Trust is a local nonprofit organization that protects and restores lands, waters, and wildlife habitat in the Wood River Valley and its surrounding areas by working cooperatively with private landowners and local communities.
"Kick Ash Bash" to benefit all valley fire departments
Organizers of the "Kick Ask Bash" party celebrating the end of the ordeal of the Castle Rock Fire say funds raised from the Sept. 29 concert will benefit all Blaine County fire departments.
The Castle Rock Firefighters Benefit Concert will also benefit the national Wildland Firefighters Association. The Bruce Willis Blues Band and The Steve Miller Band have donated their talents.
The Sept. 28-29 party will include other concerts and events. Tickets for the benefit concert are available online at visitsunvalley.com or through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts starting Friday, Sept. 14.
Mexican Independence Day to be celebrated in Ketchum
The entire community is invited to a Mexican Independence Day celebration at the nextStage Theatre in Ketchum on Saturday, Sept. 15.
The day marks the "The Cry of Independence" uttered by Father Miguel de Hidalgo y Costilla that initiated Mexico's War of Independence in 1810.
The event will run from 3 p.m. to midnight and include music, Mexican food and raffles for prizes. Recorded music with a DJ will be played throughout the afternoon and the band Karigma, from Twin Falls, will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Admission is free.
The organizers would like to thank the families of Tito Rivera, Carlos Hurtado, Angel Lira and Gustavo Alvarado for their support of the event.
BLM to hold horse adoption in Hailey
Forty wild horses gathered from Idaho's Black Mountain and Hardtrigger herd management areas in Owyhee County south of Boise will be made available for adoption at a public event in Hailey scheduled for late next week. Officials with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management say the horses are of good size, conformation and are available in all colors.
Several weanlings and yearlings as well as gelding vouchers will be available at the auction.
The wild horse adoption will be held on Friday, Sept. 21, through Saturday, Sept. 22. The event will be held at the Hailey rodeo grounds at 791 South Main Street in Hailey.
Those interested in adopting a horse can come to the rodeo grounds on Friday to preview the horses. There will also be gentling demonstrations from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday.
On Saturday, an opportunity to preview the horses will again be given prior to the silent bid adoption from 10-11 a.m. Additional horse gentling demonstrations will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All gentling demonstrations will be hosted by Mario Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho. Anyone winning one of the silent bid adoptions can adopt a buddy horse for an additional $25.
