Bitterroot Forest Wraps Up Como Prescribed Burn

The Bitterroot National Forest will not be burning in the Lake Como-Lost Horse area Thursday. The prescribed burn Tuesday and Wednesday put up quite a bit of smoke that had residents calling the forest officials and 9-1-1. But the fire was a planned action as part of the annual fall burning projects on many national forests to reduce understory fuels and to burn slash piles from timber operations. There was no danger to any structures.

Public Affairs Officer Tod McKay of the Bitterroot National Forest said another burn is being scheduled for this weekend in the Ambrose area of the Sapphire Mountains northeast of Stevensville, depending on the weather. An earlier burn was conducted east of Stevensville this month. McKay also said other burning projects are planned up the East Fork and the West Fork on the Darby/Sula and West Fork Ranger Districts. Another project is planned west of Hamilton on Downing Mountain.