Prescribed burns planned on Kootenai Forest

The Kootenai National Forest is planning to conduct fall prescribed fire projects when weather, fuel conditions and air quality become favorable.

Smoke may be visible from various places across the forest depending on the location of the burn units and weather conditions.

Each project follows a prescribed fire burn plan. The prescribed fire projects are located and designed to be controlled to reduce the potential for adverse effects. These projects will be in compliance with Montana air quality standards and guided by the Montana/Idaho State Airshed Group to reduce the impacts of smoke to our neighbors, cooperators, and surrounding communities.

The prescribed fire projects consist of hand or machine piles created as a result of but not limited to timber harvest, hazardous fuels reduction projects, hazard tree removal, recreation site management, and trail or road construction. These piles are burned to reduce fuel loads, foster vegetation regeneration, improve wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

For additional information about these projects, contact Jacob Jeresek – Kootenai National Forest Fuels Planner at 406-283-7651.