Prescribed burning begins in region's ranger districts
BONNERS FERRY — The Priest Lake, Sandpoint, and Bonners Ferry ranger districts are planning several prescribed burns late September through November. The purpose of these projects is to reduce potential wildfire impacts, prepare areas for tree planting and improve wildlife forage.
Prescribed burning is part of each District’s annual natural resource management program. Burned areas will be monitored to ensure that fire remains within the unit boundaries.
As a member of the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests adheres to recommendations to burn for each day based on predicted smoke emissions and expected smoke dispersion. Burns are conducted only when forecasts and burn plans comply with federal and state air quality regulations and agency policies.
If you plan on recreating or hunting near these project areas, make sure you understand your location relative to closure areas and burn units. The public is urged to stay away from these areas during burning operations and for a few days afterward. Active burning usually occurs for two to three days until moisture puts out the fire, however burned areas can still be very hazardous.
Prescribed burns are planned for the following areas:
n Bonners Ferry Ranger District
Underburning of logging slash in the following project areas: Northern Prairie, Highway 95 near Round Prairie, 18 miles north of Bonners Ferry; Borderline Stew, 20 miles north of Bonners Ferry, vicinity of Hall Mountain; Twenty Mile, approximately 5 miles southeast of Bonners Ferry; and Ruby Copper, approximately 4 miles southeast of Eastport.
Natural fuels burning will take place in the Idaho Buckhorn project area, northeast of Moyie Springs, on the Montana/Idaho border, near Buckhorn Mountain.
Pile burning will take place in the following project areas: Twin Skin, 16 miles northeast of Bonners Ferry in the Deer Creek area; Kreist Lightning, 6 miles south of Eastport, upper Moyie River area; Borderline Stew, 20 miles north of Bonners Ferry, vicinity of Hall Mountain; Northern Prairie, Highway 95 near Round Prairie, 18 miles north of Bonners Ferry; and Twenty Mile, approximately 5 miles southeast of Bonners Ferry.
n Sandpoint Ranger District
Underburning of logging slash will take place at the following projects: Gold Crown, located just Southeast of Sandpoint near Gold Hill; South Grouse, Grouse Mountain 4 miles east of Sagle; Tumble Down, Graham Point to Whiskey Rock.
Pile burning will take place at the Tumble Down project areas, located fromGraham Point to Whiskey Rock.
n Priest Lake Ranger District
Underburning of logging slash in the Lower Priest proejct area, 7 miles southwest of Coolin in the vicinity of Gleason McAbee Road.
Natural fuels burning in the Watson project area, 3 miles northeast of Nordman, in the Watson Mountain area.
Pile burning in the following project areas: Lakeview, east of Highway 57, vicinity of Nordman; Nickelplate, west of Highway 57, vicinity of Nordman; Priest Lake Experimental Forest, 10 miles south of Coolin; and Tower Salvage, 14 miles southwest of Priest Lake;.