Prescribed Burns Planned on Seeley Lake Ranger District

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ranger District is planning to conduct prescribed burning this spring if weather, fuel and air quality conditions allow for safe and effective operations.

The project areas include two locations, both adjacent to Seeley Lake. One is located just south of Seeley Lake within the Horseshoe West Project Area. The Horseshoe West Project Area has approximately 1,100 acres of understory prescribed burning that could come into prescription this spring. The prescribed under-burn objectives include: enhance soil productivity by providing nutrient recycling; timber stand improvement through the control of understory vegetation; improve wildlife habitat by stimulating browse; dispose of existing natural fuel loads to protect and enhance timber resources by reducing ladder fuels and competition; provide crown lifting to reduce susceptibility to fire and improve wood quality.

The other planned prescribed burning location is to the north of Seeley Lake in the Auggie Fuels Project area. The objectives of Auggie Fuels Units are to: use low intensity ground fire to reduce loading of small fuels (less than six inches diameter breast height) and litter; return the beneficial ecological effects of fire; reduce fuel loading from understory thinning and any residual logging slash (tops and limbs); and reduce the stocking of seedlings and saplings of shade tolerant conifers. The project is intended to protect at least 80 percent of the target residual over-story in harvested units and unharvested areas.

All burning will be weather and fuel condition dependent. If ignition takes place, there is potential the burning could limit public access in these areas. For public safety, recreationists are asked to be aware of fire crews and vehicles in this area. Prescribed fire signs will be posted at trailheads and adjacent roads, as well as any forest trails near burning locations. The prescribed burns will be ignited only if operational safety, fuel moistures, weather conditions and air quality parameters are met.

The public is asked to avoid traveling in proposed prescribed burn units as well as trails and roads directly adjacent to the units. Please take caution as roads and trails used as control lines for the burn could be temporarily impacted by low intensity fire and smoke. When traveling near a slope, be aware that rolling material from the burn could pose a threat to your safety.

Please visit The Lolo National Forest on Facebook for burn announcements, burn updates and photos of projects happening around the Forest (https://www.facebook.com/Lolo-National-Forest-409424909216306/).

If there are any questions please contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 677-2233.

 

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