Fall prescribed burns planned

The Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District is planning to implement prescribed burning and pile burning in several areas this fall as conditions allow. Planned prescribed burn units are implemented for a combination of reasons; to treat fuel created by timber harvest activities, and to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health and resiliency. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) prescribed burns help to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to nearby communities and infrastructure and provide areas where firefighters can safely engage.

The treatment of fuels created by timber harvest is mandated by law and fire is the primary tool used to reduce slash loading to prepare sites for future tree planting and/or natural regeneration of trees.

Prescribed burning is planned for the following areas to reduce slash generated by Timber Harvest activities:

• Little Eddy (Clark Fork River Corridor), up to 100 acres

• Clear Creek (Prospect Creek), up to 300 acres

• Fishtrap Creek, 10 acres

• Antimony (Prospect Creek), 50 acres

Additionally, prescribed fire is utilized to reduce hazardous forest fuels that have built up over time, to increase forage for big game species, and to restore the natural fire process on the landscape. Prescribed burning is planned for the following areas for benefits to the ecosystem:

• West Fork Dry Creek (Dry Creek drainage south of Thompson Falls), up to 170 acres

• Deep Creek, up to 1,500 acres

• Cherry Creek, up to 360 acres

• Knowles Creek (Flathead River southeast of Paradise), up to 1,200 acres

• Eddy Malone (Clark Fork River Corridor northwest of Plains), up to 1,500 acres

• Priscilla (Thompson River), up to 3,000 acres

• Bend (approximately 35 miles up Thompson River), 70 acres

USFS said the prescribed burns will only occur when conditions are favorable and sufficient resources are available. Factors include temperature, wind, fuel moisture and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.

Ignition of these prescribed burns will be accomplished either by hand crews, by aerial ignition or by a combination of those two methods. Smoke may be visible during burning operations and for a few days following ignition.

All proposed burning activities must comply with air quality regulations as outlined by and administered by the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group. Burns will take place when air dispersion patterns and weather forecasts are favorable for burning; but smoky conditions can still potentially develop. Managers will attempt to minimize smoke effects and reduce impact to the public.

The public is urged to avoid project burn areas during operations, and if travel is required through these areas, to drive slowly as people and equipment may be present.

For additional information on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District burning plan, please contact the district office at (406) 826-3821 or visit the Sanders County Wildland Fire Information Facebook page.