Management

Fire plays a natural role in the Flathead National Forest and NW Montana ecosystem. It promotes vegetative and wildlife diversity and eliminates heavy fuel accumulations that can lead to catastrophic wildfire if not removed. Natural fires occur about every 5-25 years and they tend to be low intensity, ground fires that remove woody shrubs. The ponderosa pine, a common tree of the area, is well-adapted to fire. It relies on low intensity fires to burn litter and release soil nutrients, providing a good seedbed for ponderosa pine seeds. 

Forest fires can either be planned or unplanned. Planned, or prescribed, fires are employed for fuels and/or resource benefit purposes. Unplanned fires are ignited by natural causes (such as lightning) or humans (such as campfires not extinguished thoroughly). While natural causes cannot be escaped, human causes can which makes it important to always be aware of your fire and only start fires in designated areas.