Prescribed burning could start Monday 

The Tally Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest is planning to manage up to 80 units with prescribed fire this fall. 

If weather and air quality conditions are suitable, the forest could initiate burning on Monday, October 17. 

Burning is possible through the end of the open burning season in November.

The prescribed burns will reduce fuels under controlled conditions.

Burn units vary from two to 125 acres. A total of 1,800 acres will be burned across the district. 

Mechanical piles created during salvage harvesting in the Brush Creek fire area will produce some of the first noticeable smoke.

Burning also will occur in the Good Creek, Logan Creek and Johnson Peak areas.  Hand piles, created during fuels reduction projects in the area of Bootjack Road, Farm to Market Road, Star Meadow and Lost Creek Road, also will be burned.

The forest is working with the Montana State Department of Environmental Quality to follow state air quality guidelines.

Call the Tally Lake Ranger District at 406-758-5204 for additional information about the district.