St. Regis kids learn how fire works

Nick Ianniello

PHOTO: Co-op trims and tops Ponderosa

As orange cones are showing up on I-90, Missoula Electric Co-op is getting a jump on spring as well. A rotten Ponderosa pine at the Forest Grove Fishing Access site is trimmed and topped just in case a big wind shows up where it could fall into a secondary electrical line of theirs, or onto east Mullan Road.

CSKT Compact Passage will prevent litigation

CSKT Compact Passage Will Prevent Litigation & Protect Montanans

St. Regis store victim of robbery

An early morning break-in at Ponderosa Arms on Highway 135...

Homeowner hazard assessments could save homes in wildfires

Frenchtown Fire spokesman, Mel Holtz (center), talk with homeowner Paul Mason (left) and Forest Service training manager Chris Johnson about homeowner hazard assessments last week in the Ponderosa subdivision, east of Alberton.

Proof of the power of science-based forestry

John Bernard Leiberg was the first scientist to see the Lolo National Forest.

An update from Rep. Schwaderer

I grew up on Diamond Match road, originally built by the company that used to operate the mill at the end of the road that is now home to several local woods products employers. I learned to drive a four-wheeler with family on Plum Creek private timber land. In Kindergarten (I was the last year to attend the Old School in Superior), we learned how to tell the difference between a Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine based on foliage (roughly half the class already knew the difference). My dad, brother, extended family and I have conducted our summerly firewood gathering for the last 22 years of my life like most folks in this neck of the woods.

Forest Service proposes Cruzane Mountain Project

When homeowner Kent Moeller looks out his window, he sees a beautiful landscape of dense ponderosa pine, lodgepole, and Doug Fir trees just beyond his backyard in the Lolo National Forest near Saltese.

Volunteers help rebuild St. Regis resident's roof

Three months have passed since a storm brought down a large tree on the Lowry’s home in St. Regis. On the afternoon of July 2, strong winds toppled a staggering Ponderosa Pine on the backside of the family’s house, seriously damaging the roof and porch.

Prescribed Burn planned in Petty Creek

The Ninemile Ranger District, as part of their seasonal prescribed burning to reduce fuels, promote vegetation regeneration, and enhance the habitats for multiple species, may conduct burning over the next several days if weather, fuel conditions, and air quality allow for safe and effective ignition and burning. The prescribed burns that may occur are associated with the Petty Creek Big Game Ecosystem Maintenance Burning Project.

Yes, wheat does grow in Mineral County

Starting around mile marker 55 along Interstate 90, you may have noticed over the years golden fields of…wheat.

Roaring Lion timber salvage project underway

The Roaring Lion timber salvage project is underway in the Bitterroot National Forest. Falling snags near the trailheads of Roaring Lion, Sawtooth and Ward Mountain pose a public hazard. Crews are working to harvest 45 acres of the fire-killed timber, as the result of the Roaring Lion fire which consumed over 8,700 acres of National Forest and private land, along with several homes, last summer.

Sanders County Sheriff Report

2/6/11 9:13 p.m. A Plains woman called police stating that she and her boyfriend had gotten into a fight and he left her residence intoxicated in her car without her permission to take the car.  The woman later reported the car stolen.

Community Notes

On Jan. 31 there will be a free workshop for “Taking Your Food Business From Concept to Consumer” held at the Ponderosa Building at the Mineral Community Hospital in Superior. The workshop will cover a wide-range of topics including cottage food laws; food product development; business plan development; marketing food products and more. Class will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register call Jan at 406-676-5901. The class is part of the Lake County Community Development Corporation.

Tricon Timber: a committed member of the community

Walking in a winter wonderland

THOMPSON FALLS – A line of cars cut through a sea of white that climbed higher and higher in elevation. The destination was a winter wonderland scene and the purpose was snowshoeing. Women band together to lace up their gear and embark on a journey through the Ponderosa Pines. The first step atop the fresh powder was invigorating and many followed.

Questions raised about Cruzane forest-thinning project

A forest thinning proposal intended to reduce wildfire potential is raising questions about its effect on elk calving due to its prime habitat area, which lies on Cruzane Mountain near Saltese.

Tribal fire officials report Sinkhole Fire contained

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Division of Fire reported the Sinkhole Fire was fully contained...

Spring burns planned

The Superior Ranger District is planning spring burning for 2011. The district would like to burn as many of these areas as possible, but ignition at a specific site will take place only if funding is available and when operational safety, air quality, weather and fuel moisture conditions are favorable.

Potting Shed owner escapes wind wreckage

Last week, when high winds toppled two mature pine trees onto Milton Pearce’s greenhouses in St. Regis, it not only took down his garden structures, it knocked him down to the ground as well.