In local forests, a host of prescribed burns planned

Ranger Districts on the Flathead National Forest are planning to conduct multiple fall season prescribed fire projects, when weather, fuel conditions and air quality is favorable. Burning started last week and will continue through the close of open burning season on Nov. 30. Smoke will be visible from various places in the Flathead Valley 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 or escape as a wildland fire. 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 neighbors, cooperators, and surrounding communities.

Here’s a look at the local areas that could be burned on the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District:

• Red Whale Creek Area — A 1,114 acre project is planned in the Red Whale Creek drainage in the North Fork of the Flathead about four miles north of Polebridge. Depending on weather, this burn is planned for early October. The purpose of the project is to help restore a more historical fire regime to the ecosystem, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk and aid in potential future fire suppression efforts. In the same area about 31 acres of piles from logging slash will be burned.

• Heinrude Fuels Project-- This work involves burning about 22 acres of debris piles adjacent to Heinrude Creek and the Westside Hungry Horse Reservoir Road near the Heinrude cabins.

• Belton Fuels Project—This project includes the burning of about 15 acres of debris piles adjacent to private property in West Glacier and 176 acres of scattered debris piles between Coram and West Glacier.

• Granite Lodgepole—Work involves burning about 30 acres along the Skyland Road, Forest Road No.569 in the Middle Fork of the Flathead.

• Lost Johnny Campground—This project involves burning about 10 acres of debris and slash in the campground.

• Big Creek Campground—About 10 acres of debris and slash will be burned in the campground.

• Essex Area— Work involves the burning of several debris piles and logging slash in the Essex area.

• Hungry Horse Ranger Station—Debris piles will be burned along the lower Hungry Horse Dam road near the town of Hungry Horse.