WHAT'S A PRESCRIBED FIRE?
Prescribed fires are intentionally ignited by land managers to produce a vegetation change in a specific area that has been identified as needing treatment. The need might be to reduce forest fuels, favor or restore certain types of vegetation or to improve wildlife habitat. Often it is a combination of these objectives driven by an overall ecosystem view that recognizes the importance of fire in these forests. The Clearwater NF prescribed fire program has been steadily increasing in recent years both to address these ecosytem needs.

Conditions including weather and fuel moisture are closely monitored and must be "in prescription" before a prescribed fire is ignited. Along with these factors, the pattern of ignition is also carefully designed to produce the desired effect. Since the location and timing of each fire is planned, prescribed fires are a valuable complement to natural fires and their uncertainties.

PRESCRIBED FIRES and PARTNERS

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has been a critical partner for the Clearwater NF prescribed fire program for many years furnishing considerable funding to implement projects that contribute to elk habitat improvement.

The pictures at left and right are from the Vanderbilt Hill unit of the Upper North Fork project. The burn was completed in fall 2003 and these pictures show the unit in June 2005. A dense shrubfield with scattered conifers covered this unit. Note the big game browsing on the resprouted shrubs at right.

PLANNED AND RECENTLY COMPLETED PRESCRIBED FIRES

2010

2008

2006