BLM to conduct prescribed burns in the Lower Blackfoot area
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Missoula Field Office plans to conduct prescribed burns in the Lower Blackfoot area, including the Potomac and Greenough communities, as early as next week. The timing is dependent on weather, fuel conditions and air quality.
“These prescribed burns are part of our larger fuels treatment strategy to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health,” said Dan Poole, fire management specialist. “We are watching conditions closely and will act when the timing is right.”
The BLM intends to treat multiple units in the Blackfoot River corridor between Nine Mile Prairie and Johnsrud Park. Unit sizes range from 40 to 650 acres. The burns are designed to remove smaller vegetation, known as ladder fuels, that can carry wildfire into tree canopies. By reducing these fuels, land managers can create natural fuel breaks and increase firefighter safety in the event of future wildfires.
The burns will be carried out using a combination of aerial ignition by helicopter and ground ignition using drip torches. Smoke will be visible during and after the burns, and local residents may notice smoke lingering in the area. Burn operations are coordinated with Missoula County and the State of Montana to manage smoke impacts and ensure compliance with air quality standards.
Prescribed fire also helps restore native vegetation and wildlife habitat. In the Blackfoot watershed, fire supports the health of Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and western larch, while promoting the growth of shrubs, grasses and forbs that benefit a variety of species.
For updates or more information, contact the Missoula Field Office at 406-329-3869 or visit the Missoula County air quality page at www.missoulapublichealth.org/environment/air.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.