Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 11 at 2:17AM CDT until August 12 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 111. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Illinois and central and east central Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
Heat Advisory issued August 11 at 12:53AM CDT until August 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Maximum daily heat index values up to near 110 degrees. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Daily heat index values will remain elevated near or above 100 degrees through next weekend.
Lane reduction on bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Big Creek BridgeBig Creek Bridge, which carries County Road 12 over Big Creek, near the Iron Furnace recreation site in Hardin County, is reduced to a single central lane due to deteriorating bridge conditions. Motorists should slow down when approaching and traveling over the bridge. For your…
Overview
Shawnee National Forest is the only national forest in Illinois, spanning 289,000 acres in southern Illinois between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The forest is currently open and accessible for recreation. Developed campgrounds typically operate from April 1 through December 15, though primitive dispersed camping is allowed year-round for up to 14 consecutive days. Current alerts include: a public health and safety closure within the V-Plow Timber Sale Area, McClure Road (FSR 772) closed due to a culvert issue, water temporarily unavailable at Pharaoh Campground in the Garden of the Gods area, and a failing culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road. There are also flooding operations underway at Oakwood Bottom Units. Trail segments are closed at Johnson Creek (footbridge) and Lincoln Memorial due to erosion. The forest features seven wilderness areas (about 10% of the forest), diverse oak-hickory forests, wetlands, canyons, and unique rock formations. Popular areas include Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, and Jackson Falls. No fire danger restrictions are currently in effect. Dispersed primitive camping is allowed anywhere on national forest lands except in natural areas, along lake shores, near streams, or on trails.
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