Prescribed burns planned for local forest

The Tally Lake Ranger District will conduct multiple prescribed burns on the forest around Whitefish this fall as conditions become favorable. Burning is expected to start as early as next week and will continue through Nov. 30.

Smoke will be visible from various places in the Flathead Valley.

Good Creek – This ecosystem burn project targets 142 acres of mid- to upper-elevation shrub and conifer near Grouse Creek. Fire suppression has caused a change in species composition resulting in an encroachment of conifers into an open shrub field. Prescribed fire will reintroduce fire to overall improve wildlife habitat and reduce the conifer encroachment.

Lost Mountain Timber Sale Area – These prescribed burns are to reduce fire hazard by reducing the fuel loading created by harvest activities and fuels reduction projects. Burning also provides the site preparation necessary to promote regeneration of seedlings.

District Wide Pile Burning – Hand or machine piles are located in several locations within the Tally Lake District. Smoke will be visible in the Griffin Creek, Logan Creek, Lost Creek, Bootjack Lake and Tally Lake areas.

These piles are a result of harvesting and hazardous fuels reduction in the wildland urban interface and are burned to reduce the fuel loading.