Libby Ranger District outlines fuels reduction project

The Libby Ranger District recently announced plans to soon start fuels reduction work in the Flower Creek area.

The Forest Service said the project is in the wildland-urban interface and includes a total of 40 acres (two units at 20 acres each). One is located along the main Flower Creek Road and the other is behind a gate with restricted public driving access.

The fuels work is part of a process to reduce hazardous fuels in the city municipal watershed in order to minimize high severity wildfire, the Forest Service said. The work will be accomplished using an excavator with a masticating head to grind the fuels into smaller pieces. It is extremely dangerous to be near this equipment, as pieces of wood can be thrown up to 300 feet from the machine, the agency said.

Signs will be posted and people should avoid the project area while work is in progress. The work is expected to last through July, the Forest Service said.

For more information on the fuels project, please contact the Libby Ranger District at 406-293-7773.