The Hungry Horse District will begin prescribed burning this week on up to 2,000 acres on the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir as part of its management plan for the Paint Emery Resource Management Project.

Burning will start Friday or Saturday, Sept. 30 or Oct. 1 adjacent to the Great Bear Wilderness extending south from Clorinda Creek to the Paint Creek area. About 4,500 acres have already been burned in past years as part of the same project.

A helitorch attached to a helicopter will ignite the vegetation. A column of smoke will be visible across the Flathead Valley and the East Glacier area.

Forest Service objectives are wildlife and ecosystem management, including enhancing forage for wildlife, recreating a mosaic vegetative pattern and rejuvenating the area, and reducing fuel loading and tree densities.

The area of the project is comprised of high elevation forest and shrubs. There are no trails and roads in the planned burn area. An area closure for public safety will encompass the prescribed burn area.

For more information, visit online at http://inciweb.org or call 387-3800 or 758-5376.