West Fork Fire salvage project approved

An expedited timber salvage project on the Kootenai National Forest approved June 29 is expected to provide a significant economic impact to Northwest Montana.

The project seeks to restore areas devastated by last summer’s West Fork Fire, which burned 21,800 acres about 7 miles northwest of Libby. The project will begin in August and involves salvaging approximately 3,120 acres of burned forest, removing hazards along 29 miles of road and providing 4,100 acres for restoration.

Around 42 percent of the trees in the forest’s severely burned areas are dead or are expected to die. However, these trees still maintain about 75 percent of their economic value, the Forest Service decision stated.

The salvage project is estimated to generate 27 million board feet of timber and result in approximately $2.9 million in revenue through logging.

Under the approved “Emergency Situation Determination,” the Forest Service was able to expedite the timber sale. The emergency determination for the West Fork project was granted based on a need to address safety concerns, to protect forest resources and to avoid a loss of commodity value, Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Christopher Savage stated in his decision.

Approval of the project and its potential economic impact was praised by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.

“Last year’s wildfires devastated our forests and harmed communities,” Daines stated in a press release Monday. “This critical project will restore areas on the Kootenai National Forest devastated by last year’s West Fork Fire while supporting good-paying Montana timber jobs.”

Congressman Greg Gianforte, R-Mont. also made note of the expedited salvage work.

“It’s good for the forest, good for wildlife, good for the local economy and good for Montana jobs,” Gianforte said.

The West Fork Fire Salvage project is expected to last up to two years. It will require building approximately 4 miles of temporary roads to facilitate harvesting. Tree seedlings will be planted in the salvage areas and in the roadside danger tree removal areas following harvest activities.

The Forest Service received 91 emails and letters during the scoping period, and 118 individual comments were identified. Savage said most comments supported the proposal and many urged more and faster actions to address restoration and salvage efforts.

Once work begins, travelers on roads adjacent to Kootenai National Forest should be aware of increased vehicle traffic, including log trucks.

Savage said this is the first of three projects on the Kootenai focused on fire salvage from last year’s fires.

The EA and decision, along with supporting documentation, is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/Kootenai/landmanagement/projects. For more information about the project, contact Libby District Ranger Nate Gassmann at (406) 283-7598.