Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100

NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay
Public Affairs Officer
(406) 363-7122
(406) 531-1130 - CELL
tgmckay@fs.fed.us
May 5, 2011

PRESCRIBED BURNING PLANNED FOR DARBY AND WEST FORK DISTRICTS

Hamilton, MT, – The West Fork Ranger District will conduct prescribed burning today of approximately 225
acres about one mile west of the Sam Billings Memorial Campground. The burn location is north of the West
Fork Ranger District and smoke will likely be visible in the area and from the West Fork Highway. Fire
managers expect to ignite the burn near mid-day and conclude the burning around 6 p.m. Resources assigned to
the fire include 21 firefighters and two engines.

If conditions allow, the Darby Ranger District will also conduct prescribed burning today of approximately 20-
75 acres about seven miles north of Darby and west of Charlos Heights. Smoke from the burn is expected to be
visible in the area of the Coyote Coulee trailhead near Lost Horse Road (#429) and the residential area along
Blue Jay Lane and Hayes Creek Road. Drivers are asked to use caution when driving through areas where fire
crews are working or where smoke is drifting across roadways. There are 15 firefighters and 2 engines assigned
to this fire.

Both burns have several objectives including:

 Maintain forest health and ecosystem restoration
 Improve wildlife habitat – many plants respond favorably to fire providing new food sprouts for
wildlife.
 Reduce the potential of large, high intensity wildfires by reducing the amount of downed fuel to burn.
 Post harvest slash treatment – reduce residual slash created by personal use firewood cutting and
prepare sites for new tree regeneration.
 Promote favorable conditions and habitat for deer and elk forage.

The burning “window” for these prescribed fires presents optimum fuel moisture and vegetation conditions for
understory burning, while also offering weather conditions to limit smoke impacts to the public. Fire managers
hope to conduct the burning quickly, with limited impact to recreational users and the general public. To view
maps of the fire areas visit the Bitterroot National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot. For more
information contact the West Fork Ranger District at (406) 821-3269 or the Darby Ranger District at (406) 821-
3913.
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