Bitterroot Forest Prescribed Burns Planned in South Valley

The Bitterroot National Forest is doing some burning in the East Fork and West Fork of the Bitterroot Valley - a yearly activity for the Forest Service.

Tod McKay said an initial burn this week will be up the East Fork below Tepee Point. There are four other projects in the Darby/Sula Ranger District and two projects in the West Fork Ranger District.

Darby/Sula:

Middle East Fork - east of Colvert Creek and west of Guide Creek

Tepee Face Ecoburn - south of Tepee Point

Swift Creek Units - east of Echo Gulch and in Swift Creek

Guide TSI Units - north of Guide Saddle

West Fork:

School Point Ecoburn - east of Nelson Creek and east of Halford Creek

Lower West Fork Units - north Lavene Creek and south of Baker Lake Road.

About 2,000 total acres are involved in the spring burning, which also cleans up slash from timber operations.

The burns will be ignited only if conditions allow, McKay wrote in a news release. The fires are set to maintain forest health, improve wildlife habitat and reduce the potential of larger forest fires.

For updates, check the Discover the Bitterroot facebook page. Great photos there, too!

Categories: Missoula News