Burns are weather dependent; expect to see smoke periodically this month

Blackfoot Valley – Prescribed burns are planned this month for the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA) west of Ovando and the Nevada Lake WMA east of Helmville, both in the Blackfoot Valley.

A 250-acre prescribed burn is planned for the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area WMA, tentatively in the October 7-20 timeframe. The project is part of a cooperative effort between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the University of Montana FireCenter, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), The Nature Conservancy, and the Blackfoot Challenge.

A 65-acre burn is also planned for the Nevada Lake WMA in the same timeframe. The project is part of a cooperative effort between FWP, DNRC, The Nature Conservancy, and the Blackfoot Challenge.

Prescribed fire is a short disturbance for long-term benefits of fuel reduction and wildlife habitat enhancement on the WMAs, and both projects were proposed as part of the conifer expansion and native grassland restoration project, approved by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2018.

Specific project objectives are focused on enhancing forage for big game wildlife, restoring open forest conditions dominated by ponderosa pine, promoting aspen growth and regeneration, and reducing fuel loading. Funding for this habitat management work was provided by FWP and grants through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Blackfoot Challenge.

Smoke from the WMAs may be visible at times this fall. The burns are weather dependent, but burning is expected to start next week with most complete prior to opening day of general big game rifle season (October 26, 2024).

Fall is a typical time for prescribed burns to occur region-wide, so recreationists and residents could expect to see smoke from other public lands as well. To minimize smoke impact on communities, the exact timing of the burns will depend on weather, fuel moisture levels, and air flow.