Burn projects finished

Flathead National Forest officials report that crews successfully conducted prescribed burn projects across the region this fall.

The projects utilized hand and aerial ignition and included:

• The 350-acre Paint Emery Central prescribed burns on the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir and northwest of Great Northern Mountain took place Sept. 22. The goal was wildlife habitat enhancement and reducing the risk of severe wildland fire.

• The 180-acre Firefighter Mountain prescribed burn on the east side Hungry Horse Reservoir also took place Sept. 22. The goal is to restore and enhance grass and shrub for ungulates and other foraging wildlife while curbing wildland fire spread.

• The Spotted Bear River prescribed burn on Sept. 24 included 12 acres for hazardous fuel reduction and improving winter range habitat and 136 acres for white bark pine restoration.

• The 285-acre Horse Ridge prescribed burn took place Sept. 16. The goal was hazardous fuel reduction and improving winter range habitat.

• The Soldier Addition prescribed burns included 416 acres near the Gorge Creek trail on Sept. 17 to improve winter range habitat and 136 acres on Sept. 25 for whitebark pine restoration.