A hopeful view from fire lookout towers

A robin sits atop the slow awakening western larch branch, pauses a moment, then chimes into song before rising into the early morning air. Spring is here.

With spring's early appearance across western Montana, we see animals and people alike preparing for the change. Snow melting off the north side of Rice Ridge, and Salmon and Seeley Lake becoming no longer available to committed ice fishermen, reminds us that it's time to prepare for warmer weather. Yard clean-up begins for fire season peeks just around the corner.

Spring also brings the observance of Wildfire Awareness Month during the month of May, and Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 6. People and groups nationwide are encouraged to come together and raise awareness of the risks of wildfire and take action to reduce those risks. Backyard raking and leaf and pine needle removal might be a hassle for some homeowners and renters. Nevertheless, now is a great time to pull those old tools out and clean-up our properties. The firefighters from the Seeley Lake Ranger Station, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Clearwater Unit, and the local Seeley Lake Rural Fire District are doing the same, as they knock the dust off their fire boots and sharpen their chainsaws. Many will be cleaning up our big backyard, better known as the Lolo National Forest and State trust lands. Land that surrounds our beautiful Seeley Lake area.

With the low amount of snowpack, our local fire personnel will begin fuels reduction projects for forest health and to reduce wildfire risk as soon as conditions permit. You may see some smoke in your area due to prescribed burning, but remember that a little smoke now is better than a lot of smoke during fire season. These efforts are part of a greater initiative undertaken nationwide under the Wildfire Crisis Strategy that was released by the U.S. Forest Service in 2022. Prescribed fire operations are a key component of the 10-year strategy that works with partners to reduce wildfire risk to communities, critical infrastructure natural resources and improve the resilience of America's forests.

This work will not be completed before the 2024 fire season, however a local increase in fuel treatments is underway. Forest thinning and effective use of prescribed fire, often in conjunction, are essential tools for mitigating wildfire risk and promoting resilient, fire-adapted landscapes across Montana. Prescribed fire restores fire into fire adapted ecosystems, rejuvenating brush and grasses while reducing dead forest fuels. To conduct prescribed burning, conditions must fall under tight parameters, or "prescription," to reduce the potential for the fire to escape predetermined management boundaries. There are several constraints to getting all this work completed, including climate conditions, budget cuts and reduced personnel and resources, and there is a lot of land and fuel to treat. But progress is happening.

Homeowners can reduce their risk from wildfire by reducing the susceptibility of their home and the 100-200 feet surrounding it to wildfire (also called the Home Ignition Zone, or HIZ). This includes reducing the ignitability of their home by using fire resistant materials and removing combustible items within five feet of the home. Firewood should be removed from the porch and stored 30 feet from any structure. Yard debris and pine needles should be cleared from the yard, conifers limbed up 6 feet, and gutters kept clean of pine needles and debris. Applying "fire wise" principles to your home and property will help reduce your likelihood of damage and loss. Homes or other property within 100 feet of your home can also be a risk factor, so encourage your neighbors to reduce the risk to their home and property from wildfire as well. For more information on preparing your home for wildfire, visit Firewise.org or MCFPA.org.

Homeowners should also pay attention to fire restrictions in your area and avoid risky activities when dealing with fire, such as burning debris, lighting a campfire or fireworks, or using equipment that can spark fires on hot, dry and windy days. We cannot control the sparks from lightning, but we can control the sparks we create as humans. Last year, 19 out of 27 wildfires on the Seeley Lake Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest were human caused. That's over 70%. And 100% of human-caused fires are preventable. One less spark means one less wildfire. Visit http://www.MTFireInfo.org for information on fire restrictions and preventing wildfires.

For information on being prepared for smoke, visit http://www.MontanaWildfireSmoke.org and http://www.missoulacounty.us/government/public-safety/office-of-emergency-management/evacuation-information for information on the Missoula County evacuation process and preparedness. If you are not enrolled in Smart911 (visit Smart911.com), now is the perfect time to do so. This service will enhance your ability to receive emergency alerts and provide information to responders to strengthen your family's safety. If you are currently signed up for Smart911, please ensure your profile is updated.

To conduct your own burn as a property owner, please do so safely and remember that burn permits are required for outdoor burning and can be purchased or renewed and activated through the burn permit website https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/ or by visiting your local fire station. Permits need to be activated for every day and location you burn. Keep in mind, general outdoor burn permits are intended for yard debris only and the burning of garbage, plastics, treated wood, chemicals, or other synthetic products is strictly prohibited.

Visit MCFPA.org for more information on outdoor burning in Missoula County.

Here's hoping that the view from the fire towers this year will be one of clear blue skies during our summer months.