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Depending on weather conditions, pile burning activities will likely begin next week, as soon as Monday, October 28, 2024 and will continue as conditions allow this fall through the winter in the northwestern Crazy Mountains, specifically in the Smith Creek and Sunlight Road areas. The Crazy Mountains are located north of Livingston, MT.

The piles to be burned are part of the Smith Shields Forest Health project and are a result of thinning to improve forest health and reduce fuels to moderate fire intensity along key corridors. The piles are located primarily in areas where residual fuel was created from hazard tree removal, thinning, hazardous fuel reduction or logging activities. Adjacent fuels are not expected to be receptive to fire during pile burning due to consistent snowpack or high moisture content.

Pile burning activities in the Crazy Mountains will only be ignited when conditions are met including high fuel moisture or snow.

Fall and winter provides ideal conditions for pile burning, with higher fuel moistures and cooler temperatures. Conducting burns in this season helps prevent out-of-control wildfires during the hotter months.

Pile burning activities in the Crazy Mountains were previously postponed due to drier than expected conditions and high winds.