The Forest Service is preparing for multiple planned burns through October in the Lewis and Clark National Forest southwest of Helena.
The first planned burn is the Bear Gulch Prescribed Burn, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Thursday, Sept. 17, according to the Helena Ranger District. The project area lies southwest of Helena along Grizzly Gulch and will reduce fuel loading across 550 acres of federal and private lands.
The next scheduled burn is the Wakina Sky Prescribed Burn, located south of Helena and west of Orofino Gulch Drive. This burn is planned for the week of Sept. 21 and will treat approximately 330 acres.
Finally, the Brooklyn Divide Prescribed Burn, south of Helena near Brooklyn Bridge and Skihi Peak, is expected to begin during the week of Sept. 28 and covers approximately 500 acres.
The timelines may shift depending on weather conditions and the completion of all required approvals.
Collectively, these projects aim to reduce the potential for high-severity wildfires in the surrounding Wildland Urban Interface. The treatments are not intended to stop future fires but to modify fire behavior and intensity, ultimately improving the effectiveness of future wildfire suppression efforts.
Nearby residents or visitors may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. Smoke information and resources can also be found through the Lewis and Clark County Public Health website.
The Forest Service will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before the prescribed broadcast burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be postponed to a later date.
For any additional questions, call the Helena Ranger District at 406-449-5201.
