Prescribed burns planned

THOMPSON FALLS – If fuel moisture and weather conditions allow, the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District will initiate several prescribed burns over the next few months on U.S. Forest Service lands in Sanders County. Depending on when the burning prescription conditions are met, these burns could occur over the next several weeks.

District fuels management specialists say that prescribed burning is planned for project activity areas and several other ecosystem maintenance or hazardous fuels reduction projects. All burns have been planned to meet silvicultural guidelines and the decision to burn or not is based on fuel moisture and forecast weather conditions. Burns are planned to minimize smoke impacts to the public. If the suitable burning conditions develop, approximately 200 acres could be burned in the West Fork of Swamp Creek area west of Plains, several hundred acres in the Dry Creek watershed south of Thompson Falls and about another 200 acres could be treated in the Finley Flat area northwest of Thompson Falls.

Other areas which may be burned this fall include several ecosystem enhancement treatment areas in the Cutoff area southeast of Plains, harvest activity burns in the Fishtrap Creek area north of Thompson Falls, and numerous hand piles.

The piles slated to be burned are the result of timber harvest activity and/or fuel reduction activities over the past few years, including many along Highway 135 (the Cutoff) and Highway 7 (Prospect Creek).

The ecosystem maintenance burns are designed to improve forage for big game animals and reduce hazardous fuel loadings

These burning plans were developed to reduce fuels created by forest health improvement activities and/or timber harvest. Ecosystem maintenance burning helps managers attain a variety of resource benefits through judicious use of fire. This type of burning rejuvenates winter range, reduces forest fuels and helps maintain traditionally open slopes.

In instances of timber harvest, prescribed fire is used to reduce fuel loadings generated by harvest activities and is required by law. In addition to reducing hazardous fuel loadings, this burning also prepares sites for natural regeneration of trees and/or tree planting.

Also planned for treatment are several smaller areas of concern, such as campgrounds or other dispersed sites, which may have materials hand-piled and burned as well.

For more information, call the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District office at 406-826-3821.