Many prescribed fires are burning in Arizona. This weather satellite loop shows the smoke plumes becoming more visible in the late afternoon.

I can tell that the last few days have been a little bit smoky.

#AZwx #Fire #PrescribedFire #Forest #ForestManagement #NMwx #Arizona #NewMexico

Flathead Forest to begin prescribed burns

It’s that time again. The US Forest Service is planning on a number of prescribed fires across the Flathead National Forest. They also hope to burn some slash piles here and there. Details are limited, probably because of the government shutdown, but they are not announcing any significant activity in the North Fork.

Here’s the meat of the official press release . . .

Flathead National Forest to Begin Prescribed Fires
As favorable weather conditions allow for hazardous fuels reduction work

Kalispell, Mont., October 9, 2025— The Flathead National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations beginning this week, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through November as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Planned prescribed fires for this fall may include:

• Spotted Bear Ranger District – 20 acres in the Spotted Bear Mountain area, south of Spotted Bear Ranger Station (broadcast and pile burning).
• Swan Lake Ranger District – hazardous fuels reduction work in Beaver Creek and Lindburg areas, Crane Mountain area, and Blacktail Mountain area (pile burning).
• Tally Lake Ranger District – 146 acres in the Star Meadows area, west of Whitefish, MT (broadcast and pile burning).
• Pile burning across the Flathead National Forest to reduce hazardous fuels in Flathead, Missoula, and Lake counties.

Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ for detailed information about air quality.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may not commence.

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website and social media channels. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.

#prescribedBurn #prescribedFire

Had my first experience with prescribed fire today. Burned 95 acres of #CRP.

#prescribedfire