BUTTE – Butte Fire chief Jeff Miller said smoke that’s being reported south of Butte today is part of a control burn by the U.S. Forest Service.
The forest service is also seeking comments for tree planting in 2019 in the Monument Fire area.
In 2018, the lightning-caused Monument fire in the Gravelly Mountains burned over 6,600 acres of which 66% burned in a moderate to high severity. The Forest Service is now proposing to plant 100,000 Whitebark pine seedlings on approximately 500 acres beginning in late May 2019 and 2020 at elevation ranges of 7,700 to 8,650 feet.
“Planting as soon as possible, following the snow melt will ensure soil conditions are as conducive to seedling survival,” said Madison District Ranger Dale Olson. “Seedlings will be planted adjacent to downed logs, dead trees, or stumps for protection to increase the likelihood of survival.”
The Forest Service is seeking comments related to this proposed project. Additional information about this project can be found online at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55692. Comments are welcome anytime, however, they will be most helpful if they are submitted by May 17, 2019.
Comments may be sent electronically to: comments-northern-beaverhead-deerlodge@fs.fed.us and type Monument Fire Whitebark Pine Planting in the subject line, or sent to the Madison Ranger District, 5 Forest Service Road, Ennis, MT 59729. For more information regarding this proposal, contact Madison District Ranger Dale Olson in Ennis at (406) 682-4253.
