COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Popular hiking trails on Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene will face closures this summer as the city plans wildfire prevention work.
The initiative, scheduled to begin in May, will focus on removing dead trees, brush, and accumulated foliage that have created dangerous fire conditions on the hill, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.
“We are looking to lessen the fuel load, which is dead material, brush material on the forest floor,” said Nick Goodwin, Coeur d’Alene’s Urban Forester. “Basically what we’re trying to do is simulate a wildfire by doing fuel mitigation work.”
The project comes in response to decades of vegetation buildup on Tubbs Hill, creating increasingly hazardous conditions.
Without intervention, Goodwin warns that both the natural area and nearby residential neighborhoods face growing danger.
“That fuel load has just been built over time. And if we don’t have a fire, the fuel load just builds up,” Goodwin explained. “If we have a fire, we have drastic consequences.”
The project focuses on WUI areas – where wilderness meets urban neighborhoods – and the hill’s most popular trails.
Pam Lohman, who lives on Tubbs Hill, welcomes the work.
“Having seen just the dead fuel around the hill for quite a long time, we’re actually happy that it’s happening,” Lohman said. “I think there’s a significant risk.”
Lohman often sees concerning behaviors on the hill. Telling 4 News Now she often sees people smoking, lighting fireworks, and campfires.
“I think that anything that can be done to improve it is just everyone’s benefit,” said Lohman.
Visitors should expect disruptions. Goodwin anticipates “substantial trail closures” during the work.
The project aims to improve Tubbs Hill’s long-term health.
“We hope to improve the health of Tubbs Hill by performing this fuel mitigation work and then following up with proper forestry,” Goodwin said.
The city is currently accepting bids from contractors to perform the work. A more detailed timeline for the project, will be come once a contractor is selected.
