West Fork fire salvage project finalized
Dead and dying trees, burned in the West Fork fire, dot the landscape in this photo from Oct. 2, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
Kootenai National Forest signed off on the West Fork Fire Salvage and Restoration Project, the first of three such projects resulting from last year’s wildfires.
According to a news release, approximately 3,120 acres of dead or dying trees will be salvaged “for recovery of economic value,” and “hazardous trees” spanning 880 acres along 29 miles of road will be removed, opening up 4,100 acres for reforestation.
“Salvaging these fire-killed trees will provide local and regional economic opportunities to communities and businesses affected by last year’s devastating wildfires,” Kootenai Forest Supervisor Christopher Savage states in the news release.
The project is expected to begin in August and last up to two years. Officials advise that people using public lands in the vicinity of the project should be “should be alert for increased vehicle traffic, including log trucks.”
“Extensive public involvement … (including) discussions with tribes, local, state and county government, general public, local collaborative groups, and timber industry representatives” was used to develop the project, the news release states.
For more information, view project documents at www.fs.usda.gov/projects/kootenai/landmanagement/projects or call Libby District Ranger Nate Gassmann at 406-283-7598.