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 with planned burning are located in five locations, two of which are directly adjacent to Seeley Lake. One is located just south of Seeley Lake within the Horeshoe Hills area, while the other is just north of Seeley Lake at Auggie. The other three areas are Colt Summit, Swan Face and Monture.
All project areas have multiple units planned for prescribed burning. The prescribed burn objectives vary, but generally are designed to:
• Reintroduce low intensity surface fire, which reduces wildfire intensity.
• Reduce surface fuel concentrations, which reduces wildfire intensity enabling wildland firefighters to more successfully suppress fires when they are small during wildfire season.
• Rejuvenate forest floor vegetation for the benefit to wildlife for browse.
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 all prescribed fire areas. Prescribed fire signs will be posted at trailheads, adjacent roads as well as any forest trails near where burning is taking place. Prescribed burns will be ignited only if operational safety, fuel moistures, weather conditions and air quality parameters are met.
Please 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 Facebook page for prescribed fire announcements across the forest https://www.facebook.com/Lolo-National-Forest-409424909216306/ Information will also be posted on the Seeley Swan Pathfinder’s Facebook page.
If there are any questions please contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 677-2233.
Reader Comments(0)