Prescribed burns planned for Swan and Stillwater state forests

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Northwestern Land office is preparing for prescribed burning in the Swan and Stillwater state forests this fall. 

These burns are scheduled to occur between mid-September and late November, depending on favorable weather and fuel conditions.  

The DNRC plans to conduct these prescribed burns on eighteen state trust land units, ranging from 14 to 216 acres, in areas near the Main Woodward and South Woodward drainages in the Swan Unit and east of Stryker Ridge in the Stillwater Unit.

 These efforts will reduce hazardous fuels, promote forest regeneration and protect nearby communities from future wildfires. 

“Prescribed burning is an effective tool used to reduce slash generated from forest management activities and prepare sites for regeneration,” said Dave Marx, DNRC Swan Unit Manager. “These controlled fires will return nutrients to the soil, release cone seeds, and reduce competing vegetation, supporting new seedling growth.” 

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and implemented following a detailed burn plan. 

“Our team closely monitors fuel moisture, temperatures, wind, and forecasted weather systems in accordance with the burn plan to ensure conditions are safe and effective for achieving our project objectives,” said Dave Ring, DNRC Stillwater Unit Manager. 

Smoke from these burns may be visible from nearby highways and communities. The DNRC is working closely with smoke and air quality managers from Lake and Stillwater Counties to minimize smoke impacts. 

For more information about the upcoming prescribed burns on the Swan Unit, contact the Swan Unit Office at (406) 754-2301 or Dave Marx, Swan Unit Manager at DMarx@mt.gov. 

For more information about the prescribed burns on the Stillwater Unit, contact the Stillwater Unit Office at (406) 881-2371 or Dave Ring, Stillwater Unit Manager at DRing@mt.gov.