Prescribed burns going on now
Example of a slash pile from the Surprise Creek Fire fuel break on FSR 332 in 2019.
Photo courtesy of IPNF
Fall prescribed burning is well underway, and hunters and recreators have likely seen this work occurring across the forests.
This special alert is for pile burning on Graham Ridge starting Oct. 20 and is due to the visibility of this location. Machine piles are large enough to create visible smoke plumes that will likely be seen around the Silver Valley. Close coordination has occurred with the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group to determine the right amount of burning for today's dispersion forecast.
These slash piles are associated with fuel break construction on Graham Ridge during the Character Complex wildfires last year. Burning is the best way to remove this hazardous fuel from the landscape in this area. This burning activity should have minimal, localized smoke impacts. There will be a temporary closure from Oct. 20-21 on Graham Ridge Trail 17 from the trailhead on FSR 620 to Graham Mountain.
Hunters are encouraged to plan ahead and be aware that if slash piles are located in the area, prescribed fire activity may occur at any time. Visitors are reminded to avoid walking through burned slash piles as heat may remain in the ground and could pose hazards.
For questions on proposed activities in your area, please contact your local ranger station or the IPNF Fire Info Line: 208-557-8813