Bumblebee Campground on the north fork of the Coeur d'Alene River will be closed for the entire season this year, allowing the U.S. Forest Service to remove a number of hazardous diseased trees.

"Every year we see more and more damaged trees in that campground," said Jason Kirchner, a spokesman for the USFS. "What is really driving this is root disease, mostly in the fir trees."

Kirchner said the project will take the entire summer to complete.

Later this spring, in an effort to improve campground safety, contract crews will focus on removing any trees that show signs of stress or declining health.

A widespread occurrence of diseased and damaged trees in and around the campground make it necessary to remove a majority of the overstory (the layer of foliage composing the forest canopy). Kirchner said the overstory is comprised of all of the larger mature trees that provide shade in the popular campground.

"There will be a dramatic change in the landscape," he said, adding that it will likely take several years for new trees to mature in the area.

"It's a very difficult decision to close such a popular campground," said Coeur d'Alene River District Ranger Chad Hudson in a press release. "But, with so many dangerous trees in the area, we cannot allow the public to camp there until all of the hazards have been removed."

After the hazardous tree removal is complete, forest service staff will evaluate the site to determine when it is safe to reopen the campground.

Until then, Kirchner said there are several other camping options available.

"The Bumblebee dispersed camp area will remain opened to the public," he said, adding that is a free campsite with fire rings and Porta-Potties.

Pay-to-camp sites, such as Devil's Elbow, Kit Price and Big Hank campgrounds will remain open as well, he said.

Prior to any campground opening each year, crews evaluate the sites for hazards and take action to ensure public safety at these sites.

The only other campground that may be closed temporarily this season is the Beaver Creek Campground near Priest Lake.

"But we are still evaluating that one," he said. "It is not nearly as bad as Bumblebee."

While the Forest Service hasn't identified any other hazardous campgrounds in the Idaho Panhandle, Kirchner said it is important for forest visitors to understand that hazardous trees may be present anywhere in the national forest.

People visiting the forest are encouraged to take a hard look at their surroundings when recreating, and particularly when selecting a campsite.

Hazardous trees are not always readily apparent, but some obvious indicators of dangerous trees include damage to roots, branches or trunk, insect infestations, leaning trees or dead trees.

For more information about Bumblebee Campground please contact the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District at (208) 664-2318.