Tree removal planned on Montana 35 near Woods Bay

Flathead Electric Cooperative will remove a dead tree at the intersection of Montana 35 and Sunset Heights Road on Tuesday, May 13, at 1:30 p.m. This narrow area of Montana 35, located 1 mile south of Woods Bay near Mile Marker 25, will close to traffic while work occurs.

The ponderosa pine is located on the uphill side of the highway. It is a hazard to the primary electric distribution power lines in the area. Proactively removing the tree is an important step to help prevent power outages, reduce the risk of fire, and ensure the safety of both our utility system and the surrounding community.

Chad Bessette, Vegetation Management Supervisor for FEC, shares, “For the safety of the public and our crews, the road will be temporarily closed during the tree removal. If conditions remain favorable, the felling itself is expected to take about 20 minutes. We anticipate the full closure will last less than an hour, however, this timeline may change depending on safety considerations or unexpected developments. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”