COEUR d'ALENE - Hikers have one more week of listening to the rip of a chain saw when strolling on Tubbs Hill.

Contracted crews have spent the last two weeks removing non-native shrubs and small trees with the heavy equipment to clear the flammable fuels that present a fire danger on the Northeast side of the hill.

The project's benefit is safety and the health of the hiking haven.

But hiking trails could be rerouted or blocked off next week as the project wraps up and comes down the hill closer to the walking routes.

"We might have to ask them to turn back," said Karen Haskew, city urban forester, on hikers coming across workers next week. "But when at all possible we're going to reroute them."

So far, the contracted workers from Alpha Services have cleared the 43 acres on the northeast side of the hill - mostly of small non-native species such as Norway maples and cherry trees - above and below the city's water tanks.

The fuel reduction project isn't in preparation for burning, which the city doesn't have any plans to do soon, but will introduce seedlings of white pine trees -Idaho's state tree - and ponderosa pines next spring.

The 120-acre hill has recently seen many Douglas fir deaths due to root rot.

Signs and flags will mark the trail head entrances notifying hikers of the work and closures.