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The Madison Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest may implement prescribed fire operations in the Idaho Creek area this week, as weather and fuels conditions allow. 

🔥The Idaho Creek project area is located 11 miles southeast of Alder, MT in the Greenhorn Mountain Range. The unit lies five miles east of Ruby Reservoir, along National Forest System Road 8321. Firefighters plan to ignite the fuels (grass, shrub, and timber) by hand this Tuesday (4/2) and Wednesday (4/3) if weather conditions are favorable. The project unit, approximately 480 acres in size, is surrounded on three sides by timber with adequate snow cover and on the west side by a previously implemented prescribed fire.

🔥Minimal smoke impacts are anticipated; however, smoke may be visible from US Highway 287, State Highway 287, and the communities of Twin Bridges, Sheridan, Alder, Virginia City, and Ennis. The prescribed fire will be implemented in compliance with Montana air quality standards and coordinated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the appropriate county health departments to minimize the impacts of smoke.

🔥Prescribed fire activity is highly weather dependent, relying on close coordination with the National Weather Service and other specialists. Fire officials will closely monitor the weather, making sure conditions are favorable to meet project objectives and safety guidelines. Prescribed fires are carefully planned and conducted in accordance with a written burn plan. Prior to implementation, Forest fire managers coordinate with local cooperators, county officials, and interagency partners. 

🔥Prescribed fires help reduce surface fuels, increasing landscape wildfire resilience and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire effects on the landscape. In addition, they improve and maintain forest health and wildlife habitat and eliminate invasive species. 

For updates or more information, contact the Madison Ranger District at (406) 682-4253.