Mudslides and Flood Damage Close Myrtle Creek Road

BONNERS FERRY — The Myrtle Creek Road, also known as Forest Road 633, is the latest forest road this season to be closed due to mudslides and flood damage.

Forest Service employees working in the area west of Bonners Ferry earlier this week discovered a significant mudslide and road washout, which has divided the road and scattered logs, boulders and mud throughout several sections of the road. An emergency road closure order has been issued for the entire length of the road.

Forest Service engineers have begun assessing the damage and are working to identify funding and contractors to begin repairs. However, at this early stage no timeline for repair and reopening the road is available.

“The road damage in Myrtle Creek is extensive, but at this point our primary concern is to ensure public safety through a temporary road closure,” said Bonners Ferry District Ranger Linda McFaddan. “Once funding is secured we’ll work to reopen the road as quickly as possible.”

Throughout this spring several roads across the Idaho Panhandle National Forests have experienced flooding and mudslides. As the spring weather warms and people venture further into the forests they are likely to discover additional road sections requiring repair and possibly temporary closure. Forest Service engineers and work crews will be prioritizing work based on the magnitude of the damage and the impact to the public and will work to restore access as quickly as possible.

Due to soft roads and potential flooding forest visitors are urged to use caution and to turn around before becoming stuck or causing damage to the road surface. For more information on current road conditions please contact your local Idaho Panhandle National Forests office.