Glacier planning prescribed burns

Glacier National Park has planned two prescribed fire projects along the Inside North Fork Road area during the next month.

Fire crews plan to burn 100 acres near Sullivan Meadow, about two miles east of the Logging Ranger Station.

The primary objectives of the burn are to reduce the number of understory trees serving as “fire ladders” beneath mature ponderosa pine, thin out trees at the sites of the Anaconda and Moose fires and expose mineral soil to provide a seed bed for natural ponderosa pine regeneration.

The park also plans to burn about 70 acres in the Round Prairie area about eight miles northwest of Polebridge.

This burn will reduce the density of young trees encroaching on the native prairie grassland. Managers also hope to reduce sagebrush within the prairie while improving conditions for native grasses and forbs.

These prescribed burns will only take place if weather and smoke dispersal requirements are met.

For more information, contact the park at (406) 888-7800.