Forest project proposed on 2,000 acres

The Missoula Ranger District is asking for public feedback on a 2,000 acre project along U.S. 12 that includes Fish, Graves and Howard creeks in Mineral County.

The acreage is primarily in within the Wildland Urban Interface and utilizes Section 40806 in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It’s a project that covers about 37 miles of heavily used public roadways which are also the main arteries for first responders reacting to emergencies and wildfires.

This road network also accesses private residences, campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, fishing and hunting areas.

Known as fuelbreaks to Forest Service personnel, lay people refer to this as thinning out the small trees and underbrush to help prevent a wildland fire from gobbling up more area than it could.

“This project allows us to prepare ahead of wildfire ignitions, where science and operational experience indicate we will be most effective,” stated Crystal Stonesifer, Missoula District ranger. “Additionally, these shaded fuelbreaks help improve future fire management actions by providing additional safety for the public and first responders through improved egress and access.”

Shaded fuelbreaks are linear control features that have been treated to moderate fire spread and intensity. Treatments in this project would consist of thinning the understory along roads to reduce ladder fuels and tree density while leaving mature overstory intact.

Treatments would be implemented by hand using chainsaws and would occur up to 300 feet from the identified roadsides. Thinning slash generated from the treatments would be hand-piled or scattered on site, followed by controlled burning (pile burning, jackpot burning or underburning).

“We have received valuable input from the Lolo Restoration Committee and our partners at the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management to meet collaborative goals of this project,” added Stonesifer. “We will continue these engagements as the project develops.”

Since 2000, about 35 fire starts have been recorded near or within the project area. Wildfires typically spread east with the direction of prevailing winds in this area which has threatened recreationists and private landowners.

Having these shaded fuelbreaks will help fire managers arrive at the emergency much faster increasing the probability of taking control of the crisis. Fuelbreaks also help with new vegetation growth that the critters appreciate as these projects are carefully monitored to avoid soil damage.

Public comments will be accepted during a 30-day scoping comment period starting on Jan. 23 - Feb. 21, 2023. Comments may be submitted electronically to comments-northern-lolo-missoula@usda.gov.

Include your name and contact information along with “Granite Graves” in the subject line, or they may be mailed to the following address: Crystal Stonesifer, Missoula District Ranger, Missoula Ranger District, 24 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804.