Limekiln prescribed pile-burning starts today
U.S. Wildland Fire Service fuels-management program members supporting the Bureau of Land Management’s North Central Montana District began burning woody hand piles this morning, Feb. 18, 2025, about 7 miles northeast of Lewistown, Montana, in the Judith Mountains.
The fuels team plans to tackle about 30 acres of piles created from previous fuels reduction work on BLM-administered lands adjacent to private land in the Limekiln Canyon. The total Limekiln pile burn project area covers about 358 acres near the Limekiln Trail recreation site.
This project will help reduce the risk of wildfire around private land and homes while promoting a healthier, more-diverse ecosystem.
Ignitions are expected to take one day with some residual smoke expected over the area for several days after ignitions occur.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service works to reduce future catastrophic wildfires and reduce the risk fire poses to communities and landscapes by strategically reducing excess vegetation, cultivating healthy fire cycles, and empowering local communities to reduce their wildfire risk.
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.