BLM closes Idaho public lands through Aug. 17 as crews suppress Tartar Fire

The Bureau of Land Management’s Four Rivers Field Office has temporarily closed BLM-managed public lands, roads and trails east of Brownlee Reservoir in Idaho as crews suppress the Tartar Fire and conduct post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation work.

The closure began July 27, 2026, at noon and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. BLM said the restriction is intended to protect the public and firefighters during suppression operations, as well as during related recovery work in the burned area.

The closed area is bounded by the Snake River, Sumac Creek, Payette National Forest and Raft Creek/Wayle Creek. The restriction limits recreation, travel and other access to the specified federal lands while firefighting and stabilization activities continue. It does not establish a permanent change to access, according to the temporary closure notice.

The next scheduled step is the end of the closure at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 17. BLM’s notice sets that period for the restriction; it does not announce an earlier reopening or provide a separate timeline for the suppression and rehabilitation work.