Dillon BLM Plans Upcoming Prescribed Burns in Madison County

The Bureau of Land Management is planning several prescribed burns in Madison County during the upcoming spring months.

Smoke from the burn activity may be visible to the public from U.S. Highway 287, State Highway 287, County Route 248, and the communities of Ennis, Virginia City, Alder, Sheridan, Twin Bridges, and Dillon. The burns are planned for the following areas:

• South Tobacco Roots, about five miles north of Virginia City. The burn areas are north of the Granite Creek road, specifically in Mill and Granite creeks, consisting of approximately 1,700 acres.

• Middle Ruby, about 12 miles southwest of Virginia City. The burn areas are near Ruby Reservoir, specifically in Garden, Greenhorn, Jack, Idaho, and Davey creeks, consisting of about 5,000 acres.

The timing of the burns depends on weather and fuel conditions. Generally, the spring prescribed burning season concludes in mid-May due to vegetation green-up.

The primary objectives of the planned burn treatments are to reduce conifers that are expanding into sagebrush/grassland habitat, restore existing aspen, and increase biodiversity.

The prescribed burns will be implemented and closely monitored by fire managers from the BLM, the Forest Service and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

For more information on the burns, contact Joe Sampson at the Dillon Field Office at (406) 683-8000.