Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100

NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay
Public Affairs Officer
(406) 363-7122
(406) 531-1130 - CELL
tgmckay@fs.fed.us
September 27, 2010

PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED TODAY NEAR SULA

Hamilton, MT, – The Sula Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest is planning, weather permitting, to
carry out a 21 acre prescribed burn this afternoon. The burn is scheduled to begin around 1:00 p.m.
in the Jennings Creek area off Forest Road 723.

The prescribed burn has several objectives including:

 Reduce the ground fuel to prepare the unit to be planted this spring.
 Lesson the potential for uncharacteristically intense, large-scale wildfire by reducing the amount of
downed fuel to burn within the area.
 Promote favorable conditions and habitat for livestock and big game forage.
 Restore fire adapted eco-systems and maintain visual quality.

Resources assigned to the prescribed burn include 15 firefighters and one engine from the Bitterroot National
Forest. The public may see some smoke this afternoon from the burn in the Jennings Camp Creek and Bertie
Lord areas, but there will be minimal impacts due to smoke to the East Fork Community. Jennings Road (FR
723) will remain open and accessible, but there may be some minor delays due to smoke impacting the road.
Drivers are asked to use appropriate caution. The burn is only scheduled to last a few hours, but smoke may be
visible for a couple of days. For the latest information, contact the Sula Ranger District at (406) 821-3201.

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