Fire management prepares for 600-acre prescribed burn west of Lincoln

HELENA, Mont. (Oct. 17, 2022) - Fire personnel on the Lincoln Ranger District are preparing for a prescribed burn on both public and private land in the Helmville-area. Prescribed burning could begin as soon as Tuesday and is anticipated to last two days, pending favorable conditions.

"Wildfires do not recognize boundaries, so we are coordinating closely with the private landowners of the Mannix Ranch and partners at the Bureau of Land Management to remove fuel build-ups across jurisdictions and ultimately reduce wildfire risk for adjacent communities," said Lincoln District Ranger Rob Gump. "The prescribed burn will also improve forage quality and quantity for wildlife, promote aspen and ponderosa pine health and reduce conifer encroachment."

The prescribed burn is anticipated to start Tuesday, Oct. 18. Fire personnel will start on the southeast corner of the unit, which is located on Bureau of Land Management-managed land and burn up to 300 acres per day for two days, depending on conditions. Residents and visitors near the Helmville-area and near the junction of Highway 200 and Highway 141 may see or smell smoke.

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and implemented in accordance with a written burn plan. Prior to implementation, local fire managers coordinate with local cooperators, counties, and partners. Prescribed burning operations will only be conducted if conditions are favorable. Favorable conditions include correct parameters for temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation for smoke. When prescription criteria are met, fire personnel implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals.

All prescribed burns 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 reduce the impacts of smoke to neighbors and surrounding communities. Smoke may settle in valley bottoms and drainages overnight, but it is expected to dissipate within a few days. For updates on where we will be burning follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.