BLM announces North Central Montana District spring season prescribed fire plans
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LEWISTOWN, Mont. – The Bureau of Land Management, North Central Montana District’s fuels program managers plan to conduct three prescribed fire broadcast burns this springtime, between the months of March and May, when fuel conditions and weather permit safe operations.
Lewistown Field Office
The Tin Can Unit L prescribed fire treatment area is located within the Musselshell Breaks of eastern Petroleum County, about 15 miles northeast of Winnett, Montana. This project is multijurisdictional, including 3,109 acres of federal, state and private lands. Tin Can Unit L was originally treated by the BLM during the spring of 2009. This prescribed fire re-entry fuels treatment will maintain and improve forest stand conditions and lower the risk of high severity wildfire. Ignition is expected to last 1-2 days, and smoke may be visible for several weeks within the project area.
Glasgow Field Office
The Middle Mooney prescribed fire area is located on 418 acres of BLM-administered lands in Valley County, approximately seven miles north of Glasgow, Montana.
The Tomato Can prescribed fire area consists of about 350 acres of BLM-administered lands in Valley County, about 20 miles west of Opheim, Montana.
These two projects will collectively remove 768 acres of crested wheatgrass and restore native grasses through prescribed burning, followed immediately by intensive grazing. These prescribed burns will help improve habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse, migratory birds, grassland birds, pronghorn and mule deer, as well as increase the vegetative biodiversity of the rangeland allotments. Each burn is expected to consist of one day of ignition, followed by several days of patrolling until deemed out by the prescribed fire burn boss.
Learn more about the BLM’s Fuels Management Program on the BLM website, https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/fuels-management, and the National Interagency Fire Center’s website, https://www.nifc.gov/about-us/our-partners/blm/blm-fuels-management-program.
-BLM-
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.