BLM plans prescribed burns near Clark Canyon and Melrose
Montana-Dakotas
Media Contact
BLM Office:
DILLON, Mont. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Dillon Field Office plans to conduct prescribed burns on about 4,000 acres in the Clark Canyon and Melrose areas after recent moisture created favorable burning conditions.
The burns will reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health and lower the risk of high-intensity wildfires in the future. They are carried out in conjunction with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Officials plan to begin burning March 17, but the start date will depend on weather and fuel conditions.
Burning operations are expected to last several days. Smoke may be visible from Interstate 15 near the Melrose and Clark Canyon areas. Officials are coordinating with Montana’s smoke management and air quality programs to help limit potential impacts.
“Our goal is to complete these important fuel reduction projects when safe conditions allow,” said Jonathan Clark, a wildland firefighter with the Dillon Field Office.
Fire officials plan to burn six units totaling 4,254 acres:
Clark Canyon area
- East Fork 1 — 110 acres, about 2 miles east of Clark Canyon Reservoir
- East Fork 2 — 706 acres, about 2 miles east of Clark Canyon Reservoir
Bell Face — 560 acres, about 3 miles south of Clark Canyon Reservoir
Melrose area
- River Corridor — 980 acres, about 5 miles northwest of Melrose
- Cherry/Trapper — 713 acres, about 5 miles east of Melrose
Rock Cherry — 1,185 acres, about 6 miles southwest of Melrose
For more information about the planned prescribed burns, contact the BLM Dillon Field Office at 406-682-4082.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.