Resource Management

Land and Resources Management

Managing the forest for sustainable multiple use.

Managing for Multiple Uses

The Forest Service has been dedicated to managing its resources for multiple uses since the creation of the agency in 1905. As an agency, we are charged with the task of providing sustainable multiple benefits to the public through proper management and use of natural resources. Our motto, “Caring for the Land and Serving People” captures the Forest Service mission perfectly. When our Forests are managed for sustainable multiple uses the benefits yield clean water, healthy ecosystems, sustainable supplies of wood and paper products, forage for livestock, supplies of energy and minerals, and superior places for the public to recreate.

Fire 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.

Fire History Map of the Northern Region

Fire plays a natural role in Northwest Montana's fire-adapted ecosystems, helping shape resilient landscapes and preventing future catastrophic wildfires. You can now use our interactive map viewer to explore the wildland fire history for the Northern Region of the Forest Service, including the Flathead National Forest.

Timber Management:

The Timber Sale section that follows has detailed information on Timber Sales offered for bid, including bid dates, contacts, and sale documents.

Information on this site will be carefully reviewed and monitored to maintain accuracy, however, in the event that discrepancies occur between the official hard copy sale documents on file in the Forest Office, and those displayed on the website, information contained in the official copy takes precedence.