DNRC Northwestern Land Office Conducting Planned Prescribed Burns
KALISPELL, Mont. — The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Northwestern Land Office plans to conduct fall prescribed burning activities detailed below. The prescribed burns will cover 180 acres of state trust land and include pile burns in various locations across the Northwestern Land Office.
As safety remains DNRC’s highest priority, a detailed burn plan for these activities has been established. This comprehensive plan has identified fuel moisture, temperatures, wind and weather systems as important factors that will determine whether conditions are safe to effectively meet project objectives.
The primary objective of the prescribed burn is to reduce slash generated from forest management activities and create planting sites and seedbeds for regeneration to promote nutrient recycling.
Stillwater Unit:
Antice Central – The prescribed burn will cover 20 acres of land located east of Stryker Ridge in the Stillwater State Forest. Smoke may be visible from the central area of the Stillwater State Forest.
Antice Point North – The prescribed burn will cover 7 acres of land located in the center of the Stillwater State Forest. Smoke may be visible from the central area of the Stillwater State Forest.
Johnson’s Yurt – The prescribed burn will cover 63 acres of land located along the east side of Stryker Ridge, northeast of Olney. Smoke may be visible from the central area of the Stillwater State Forest and from Highway 93, north of Whitefish.
Pile Burning – Logging slash piled by machine and/or by hand located across the Stillwater Unit will be burned from late September through the end of November. Smoke should be isolated to areas near burn piles.
Swan Unit:
Swanwood – The prescribed burn will cover 90 acres of land located in the Main Woodward Drainage of the Swan River State Forest. Smoke may be visible from Highway 83.
Pile Burning – Logging slash piled by machine and/or by hand located across the Swan Unit will be burned from late September through the end of November. Smoke should be isolated to areas near burn piles.
Kalispell, Libby and Plains Units:
Pile Burning – Logging slash piled by machine and/or by hand located across the units will be burned from late September through the end of November. Smoke should be isolated to areas near burn piles.
Temporary closures may be implemented during prescribed burning activities and notices will be posted in the area as appropriate. Residents should expect visible smoke from prescribed burning activities. Please do not call 911. All burning activities are coordinated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the impacts of smoke.
DNRC manages Montana’s forested state trust lands to generate long-term sustainable revenue to benefit educational institutions, while promoting healthy, resilient and diverse forests for future generations.
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