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  • wildfire Wildfire
  • prescribed fire Prescribed Fire
  • burned area emergency response Burned Area Response
  • other type Other

Bitterroot National Forest Planned Prescribed Fire Operations

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Unit Information

Bitterroot National Forest 
1801 North 1st  
Hamilton, 
Montana 
59840 
Bitterroot National Forest 
1801 North 1st  
Hamilton, 
Montana 
59840 

Incident Contacts

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Bitterroot National Forest Prescribed Fire Operations
Bitterroot National Forest Prescribed Fire Operations
Fri, 04/11/2025 - 16:04
Bitterroot National Forest Prescribed Fire Operations
Bitterroot National Forest Prescribed Fire Operations

On the Stevensville Ranger District, the West Central 3b (WC 3b) may be treated between April 15 and 18 depending on weather conditions.  

Access to the 739 Road (St. Mary’s) may be limited during ignition operations 

The Bitterroot National Forest and partners are preparing to implement prescribed fire projects across the forest this Spring. 

Prescribed fire is part of the Forest’s annual fire management program to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife forage, and create conditions which minimize impacts from future wildfires around our communities.

Weather and conditions permitting, prescribed burns may occur starting in April and continue throughout the Spring. 

Basic Information
Current as of Mon, 04/14/2025 - 17:21
Incident Time Zone America/Denver
Incident Type Prescribed Fire
Location West Central 3b Project Area, 4 miles southwest of Stevensville on the Stevensville Ranger District
Incident Commander Stevensville Ranger District Bitterroot National Forest
Incident Description Stevensville Ranger District plans to burn ~ 215 acres 4 miles southwest of Stevensville between McCalla Creek and Big Creek. Hand ignitions are planned. 25 firefighters, 2 engines and 1 water tender are assigned to the burn. To see locations visit
https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7b743b38029e4973b2e6523c976b097b
Coordinates 46° 28' 26.3994'' Latitude
-114° 12'
25.1994
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 40 and 3 engines
Size 215 Acres
Fuels Involved

understory
Significant Events

Desired effects include fuels reduction to mitigate stand replacing fires along the Bitterroot Front and private property.
Outlook
Remarks

Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.  

Access to the 739 Road (St. Mary’s) may be limited during ignition operations 
We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Smoke will likely impact the valley floor in the evening, most notably in the areas of Stevensville and Victor. Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns, most notably in the evening.  Go to www.airnow.gov to find more detailed information about air quality.  When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
Current Weather
Weather Concerns

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

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