Where to go camping, this Labor Day weekend

By Jennifer Auh

CREATED Aug. 30, 2012

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  • Jennifer Auh reports on where people should go camping this Labor Day weekend to avoid the smoke. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com

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With three active wildfires in Idaho, many people are probably wondering if it’s safe to go camping this Labor Day weekend.

           

The Trinity Ridge Fire, the Halstead fire and the Mustang Fire are all still active. Fire experts from the Boise National Forest Service said there are numerous places towards Lowman along the Payette River, which are mostly smoke free.

 

Those areas include:

 

-Banner Summit

-Garden Valley

-McCall

-Cascade

 

One family told us the fires did change some plans for Labor Day weekend. "I had a family of five coming from California,” said Richard Swearingen, Eagle Resident. He said some of the members in his family decided not to go because of the smoke.

 

However, he and his son are still going."We've been doing it for seven years and nothing’s going to stop us," he said. 

 

Swearingen and his son said they plan to go camping for four days at the Red Fish Lake near Stanley. They told us they plan to go mountain biking, fishing, play some games and just have fun.

 

Swearingen said most campgrounds around Stanley are still open.

 

However, fire experts said people still need to take precautions where ever they go. "Take a shovel with you, plenty of water, remember you can’t start a campfire, unless it’s in a designated campground in a designated fire range," said David Seesholtz, Boise National Forest Service Spokesperson.

 

He also recommend people use propane-based portable grills. Fire experts said people should make sure not to over-exert themselves, especially if they see a smoky haze outside.

 

To be on the safe side, people with respiratory issues may want to stay indoors for Labor Day weekend.