Man stranded in freezing temperatures

NAPLES — A Boundary County man suffered frostbite after he became stranded in his disabled vehicle.

The 35-year-old was on some state land near Round Mountain Road when South Boundary Fire Protection District and rescue crews tried to find him. However, the road was blocked by a car, SBFPD Chief Allen Merritt told the Herald. 

“We could not get around the car in our vehicles so that’s when Search and Rescue was activated to come out with snowmobiles and get back to where the man was located,” he said. “As far as I know the frostbite was minimal, thankfully.”

The patient was located by search and rescue crews and transported via snowmobile to where the ambulance was staged, SAR officials said in a press release. The patient was quickly assessed and treated for cold and exposure and transported to Boundary Community Hospital in stable condition.

The temperature recorded by Medic One at the time of this patient contact was minus 27 degrees, although the National Weather Service has a recorded temperature at that time of   minus 31 at the location. 

During this cold snap, first responders and law enforcement ask community members to strongly consider limiting travel, and for those who must travel, to take the time to prepare themselves and their vehicles for emergencies.

“Frostbite can happen very fast on exposed skin in those temperatures,” Merritt said. “If you do go out make sure to layer up on clothes and wear gloves. Make sure you have adequate heating in your home especially in rooms where pipes could freeze and keep cabinet doors open to help from freezing pipes.”

Merritt cautioned when using electric heaters. 

“Be very careful of which heaters you use and which outlets you plug them into. Never plug space heaters into a power strip; they can overload and cause fires. Always plug them directly into the wall to the correct circuit for the type of heater you’re using,” he said. 

Boundary County residents can minimize the impact of the extreme cold by:

1. Limiting time outdoors

2. Dressing appropriately for the cold

3. Being aware of the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia

4. Checking frequently on the elderly, newborns, pets and livestock

5. If driving, having appropriate clothing and a charged cellphone

These community organizations have graciously volunteered their heated facilities and will have someone available to let people in to benefit from their heat.

Mid-County:

Moyie Springs City Hall, 3331 E. Roosevelt, Moyie Springs. Available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Just stop in or call 208-267-5161.

Senior Hospitality Center, 6635 Lincoln, Bonners Ferry. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also serves lunch at noon if those wishing to eat call ahead by 10 a.m. the same day and request a lunch. Point of contact: 208-267-5553 or -5554.

Bonners Ferry Baptist Church, 6892 Cody St., Bonners Ferry. Available Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. No pets inside the building, please. Stop by or call 208-597-2292

South County:

Naples Community Room, Naples Fire Station (South Boundary Fire), 20 Stagecoach Road, Naples. Available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 208-290-2613.

Updates and additional locations will be posted on the Boundary County Emergency Management and Public Information Facebook page. Also, follow Boundary County Emergency Management on X (formerly Twitter) @BoundaryOEM.