SWAN VALLEY - Fire managers on the Flathead National Forest are planning to conduct fall prescribed fire projects when weather, fuel conditions and air quality are favorable. Smoke will be visible from various places in the Flathead and Swan Valleys depending on the location of the burn units and weather conditions.
Each project follows a prescribed fire burn plan. The prescribed fire projects are located, designed and controlled to reduce the potential for adverse effects. These projects will be in compliance with Montana air quality standards and coordinated with Montana State Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the impacts of smoke to our neighbors, cooperators and surrounding communities.
Swan Lake District projects:
Debris Pile Burning – Debris piles stacked by hand or machine are located across the District and are a result of: logging, hazardous fuels reduction in the wildland urban interface, hazard tree removal, recreation site management and trail or road construction. These piles are burned to reduce fuel loads in these areas. The piles are strategically burned based on their location, access and weather conditions.
Huey Timber Sale - This project includes broadcast burning in timber harvest units located within the Blacktail Mountain area west of Lakeside.
These treatments will use prescribed fire for fuels reduction, forest health improvement, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Porter Mount Timber Sale – This project includes broadcast burning in timber harvest units to facilitate reforestation requirements. The project area is located west of Lakeside and Blacktail Mountain. These treatments will use prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.
Valley Bottom – This project includes broadcast burning in previously treated timber harvest units located in the Swan Valley. These treatments will use prescribed fire for fuels reduction, large ungulate winter range enhancement and forest health improvement.
For additional information about these projects, contact Jacob Jeresek at the Swan Lake Ranger District in Bigfork, 406-837-7500.
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