HAYDEN — When Tammy Pearson and Karen Hayes formed the East of Hayden Lake Firewise Community in 2021, there were 15 homes participating to protect them from wildfires.  

Now there are 300 homes covering more than 1,800 acres making up the Firewise group. 

As part of their interest in public safety, a new fire danger level sign was unveiled Wednesday at the intersection of Upper and Lower Hayden Lake roads. 

Special guest Smokey Bear arrived to applause when he joined the celebration.

Northern Lakes Fire District Fire Marshal Tyler Drechsel said the group came to them and said it would be nice to have fire danger signs on the north side and south side of Hayden Lake. 

"We reached out to our friends, the Idaho Department of Lands,” Drechsel said. 

IDL fire prevention officer Jennifer Russell said the fire prevention program offers opportunities to host similar signs like the new one in Hayden. 

Visible to turning vehicles as well as oncoming traffic, the sign shares the relative wildfire danger level to all passing through the area. 

Nearly 150 local locations have been added by IDL. 

IDL donated two signs and the first sign was installed on the south side of Hayden Lake.

“With the Ridge Creek fire a couple of years ago and the risk potential of all the people around Hayden Lake, we’re trying to reduce that fire risk,” Drechsel said. 

Nancy and Bob Reish were approached during a Firewise meeting to host the new sign, which sits partially on their property because of its placement at the intersection of both roads. 

They’ll also be helping change the fire danger level when directed by firefighting officials. 

Nancy Reish said they’re happy to do their part.

“I think this is very important,” Reish said.

    Karen Hayes of the East of Hayden Lake Firewise Community gets a hug from Smokey Bear after the unveiling of a new sign for the neighborhood on Hayden Lake Road. Also pictured: Jennifer Russell, Tammy Pearson and Tyler Drechsel.
  

    Rowdy, Bear, Boss, Erika and Rush Gustafson applaud Smokey Bear's entrance as Nancy Reish takes a photo Wednesday in Hayden when a new fire danger level sign was unveiled at the intersection of Upper and Lower Hayden Lake roads.  

    Jennifer Russell, Smokey Bear, Karen Hayes, Tammy Pearson and Tyler Drechsel stand by the newly unveiled fire danger level sign Wednesday at the intersection of Upper and Lower Hayden Lake roads.