Press release By FWP Feb 5, 2024 – Choteau, Mt
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, will conduct a 200-acre prescribed burn at the Sun River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The purpose of the project is to improve winter range habitat and manage fire resiliency on the 20,000-acre WMA west of Augusta. The project is weather dependent, but burning is expected to start in the next few days
“This is a short disturbance for long-term benefits for wintering elk, which is the primary focus of management of the WMA,” said FWP area wildlife biologist Brent Lonner. “As partners and neighbors, we are working together with the Forest Service to improve habitat for elk and other wildlife while also improving fire resiliency of the landscape.”
The Sun River WMA, popular among wildlife enthusiasts and other recreationists, is closed to the general public until noon on May 15 in order to minimize disturbance to wintering elk.
Smoke from the WMA may be visible at times from Choteau, Augusta and Great Falls. A winter burn to follow up on previous conifer thinning treatments is ideal to remove downed trees, reduce fuel loads and stimulate vegetation growth leading into the spring and summer season. To minimize smoke impact on communities, the exact timing of the burns will depend on weather, fuel moisture levels and air flow. Funding for this habitat management work was provided by both FWP and grants through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
