U.S. Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest

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U.S. Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest The USDA Forest Service page is a combined effort of the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest Service.

General Information
Comment Policy: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/usda-comment-policy “The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/”

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife. General Information
Comment Policy: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/usda-comment-policy

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10/12/2026

Today on National Loggers Day, we recognize the hardworking logging professionals who play a vital role in sustaining the health and productivity of our nation’s forests. Through active forest management work, carried out in partnership with the Forest Service, loggers help reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health, support local economies, and maintain resilient landscapes for future generations.

Thank you to the loggers who help us care for and manage your national forests.

(Forest Service photo by Patrick Lair)

Timber sale activities are in full swing on the Libby Ranger District. Please keep an eye out for heavy equipment and lo...
10/08/2026

Timber sale activities are in full swing on the Libby Ranger District. Please keep an eye out for heavy equipment and log truck traffic in the following areas:

📍Operations are occurring in the Getner Again salvage project, approximately 11 miles south of Libby, MT along Highway 2. Log trucks will be entering the highway near the Libby Creek green box site.

📍The Fleetwood Jack timber sale has active harvest operations and log trucks hauling on the South Fork Jackson Creek Road #401 and FDR #228.

📍Timber sale work continues on the Clingford Replacement sale in the Canyon Creek drainage, with log trucks utilizing Canyon Creek Road #4912 as the haul route.

📍Blowdown salvage activities are ongoing within the West Surprise project, in the vicinity of Calx Creek, with log trucks traveling on NFS Road #2346 to access the sale area.

We appreciate the public remaining mindful of log truck traffic and heavy equipment, watching for road work signs, and maintaining a safe distance from working crews and equipment. For specific information on timber sale activities, please call the Libby Ranger District at 406-293-7773.

Photos: Timber harvest activities happening on the Getner Again salvage sale, credit USDA Employee.

🔥Prescribed fire operations continue across the Kootenai National Forest.- The Three Rivers Ranger District will utilize...
10/07/2026

🔥Prescribed fire operations continue across the Kootenai National Forest.

- The Three Rivers Ranger District will utilize aerial ignitions for a larger broad cast burn, approximately 3,000 acres, on October 8th and 9th in units of the Buckhorn project near Rock Candy Mountain, northwest of Yaak, MT. Smoke will likely be visible from surrounding areas, Yaak, and Highway 508.
⚠️Portions of Northwest National Scenic Trail will be impacted by these operations. Impacted trails included Rock Candy Trail #461 and Midge Creek Trail #177. Please avoid using these trails during operations on 10/8 and 10/9 and watch for posted trailhead warnings.

- The Three Rivers Ranger District will also conduct a smaller underburn in approximately 50 acres of the Starry Goat project in the Star Creek area, northwest of Troy on October 9th. Smoke may be visible from the Troy area and portions of Highway 2.

- Crews continue with pile burning in various locations across the Forest as favorable weather conditions allow.

ℹCheck local air quality at fire.airnow.gov/

The neighboring Idaho-Panhandle National Forest also continues with prescribed fire operations, some that may have smoke visible from portions of the Kootenai National Forest. Follow their page more information at U.S. Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Photo: Previous prescribed fire operations in the Wild Rice project on the Cabinet Ranger District. Credit-USDA Employee

Smoke from the neighboring U.S. Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests prescribed fire operations may be visi...
10/06/2026

Smoke from the neighboring U.S. Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests prescribed fire operations may be visible on portions of the Kootenai National Forest, including areas of Highway 200 and the Clark Fork area.

🔥Prescribed Fire Announcement🔥
Starting on Sunday, 10/4, and continuing into the week, two large broadcast burns will occur with aerial ignitions. To see detailed maps and read more project details, visit https://arcg.is/HTTHP0. Red on the map indicates active or imminent burning.

- The St. Joe Ranger District plans to ignite approximately 1,300 acres across two days (10/4-10/5) on the St. Joe Divide project, due south of Kellogg, Idaho. Smoke will likely be visible from all of the Silver Valley and may impact the Wallace area. Please heed posted trailhead warnings and avoid Trails 252, 565, 44, 759, 568, and 8 during this operation.

- Starting on 10/6, the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District plans to burn multiple units within the 5,000 acre South Owl project area to the north of the Magee Historic Site (near the headwaters of the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River). An area closure will be in place starting on 10/5 and will be lifted when safe to do so. There are potential smoke impacts to Highway 200 and the Clark Fork Valley.

Forest Service photo of recent aerial ignitions on the Sandpoint Ranger District. Credit: K. Tucker

Shoshone County Sheriff's Office Shoshone County Fire Prevention Cooperative Shoshone Fire District #1 Firefighters Shoshone County Fire District #2

Employees on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District have the historic Ant Flat Ranger Station prepped and ready for tomorro...
10/02/2026

Employees on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District have the historic Ant Flat Ranger Station prepped and ready for tomorrow's special open house.

Join the crew tomorrow, October 3rd from 10 am to 5 pm to tour the historic ranger station and participate in the fun activities planned throughout the day.

📍The Ant Flat Ranger Station is located 2 miles south of Fortine, MT and about 12 miles south of Eureka, MT on Highway 93, then turning west onto Ant Flat Road.

To view the full schedule of events, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/recreation/discover-history?fbclid=IwY2xjawUs3MBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXRMdUtaNjB0cnRMWVVsazNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeeo4ESZ6U89Zq4TENoZsweP2Mw6GOZfc-lmtMK0spd851EuQLdP4eHGZC5iI_aem_4f07zg-MvTY77MKqMj13mg

Photo: Employees on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger Station gather near the historic Ant Flat Ranger Station barn after a full day of prepping for the October 3rd open house. The Ant Flat Ranger District was developed in 1904, making it one of the oldest Forest Service administrative sites in Region 1.
Photo credit: USDA Employee

October 1st marks the start of open burn season for landowners within the Kootenai National Forest, unless you are withi...
10/01/2026

October 1st marks the start of open burn season for landowners within the Kootenai National Forest, unless you are within the Libby Outdoor Burning Control Area (LOBCA) where no burning is allowed during the fall season.

Here are just a few tips & reminders regarding open burning:

📆 Open burning (outside of LOBCA) runs from October 1st through November 30th.
*Inside of LOBCA, open burning will begin on April 1, 2027 and requires a burn permit.

🔥Permits are not required for fall burning during October & November.

✅ Air quality compliance is required for every burn. Call 1-800-225-6779 for the ventilation and burning forecast and any restrictions prior to burning.

⛅️ Burn early in the day & check weather for afternoon and next day wind conditions.

🚫Keep piles small & don't burn trash.

🪏 Be sure you have adequate equipment, assistance, and water supply.

⚠️ Always make sure the area is cold to the touch before leaving and check the following day to eliminate re-ignition.

For more burning tips, view the seasonal burn schedule, or to check if you are with within the LOBCA, please visit fireadaptedkootenai.org/tips-for-burning or call 406-293-6211.

This vintage poster shares age-old wisdom from Smokey Bear.

Recreate responsibly by making sure fires are dead out before leaving.

Remember, only you can prevent wildfires.

🔥Kootenai Prescribed Fire UpdatePrescribed fire operations continue across the Kootenai and neighboring forests, includi...
09/25/2026

🔥Kootenai Prescribed Fire Update

Prescribed fire operations continue across the Kootenai and neighboring forests, including both new ignitions and monitoring the prescribed fires from earlier in the week.

🔥 Crews are conducting prescribed fire ignitions today and tomorrow pending weather conditions in units of the Starry Goat project off of Southside Road #4402, northwest of Troy, MT. Smoke will be visible from portions of Hwy 2 and surrounding areas of Troy.

🔥 Our neighbors on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests conducted aerial ignitions yesterday for approximately 600 acres of prescribed fire in the Treasured Landscapes project. The project area begins 4 miles north of Clark Fork, ID, and the units are on East Fork Peak, Bear Mountain, and Moose Mountain.
⚠️Smoke from these operations is visible from Troy, MT and Bull Lake corridor.

Residual smoke may still be visible from previous prescribed fire operations, which crews are continuing to manage. You can always check air quality at https://fire.airnow.gov/

Did you know that the Kootenai National Forest is home to one of the oldest administrative stations within Region 1? Loc...
09/25/2026

Did you know that the Kootenai National Forest is home to one of the oldest administrative stations within Region 1?

Located near Fortine, MT in north Lincoln County, the Ant Flat Ranger District was developed in 1904 under Ranger Fred Herrig, who was a personal friend of Teddy Roosevelt. The Ant Flat work center became the hub of all programs directed and executed on the Fortine Ranger District.

Now is a great chance to check it! Join us on October 3rd, 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm for an open house at the historic Ant Flat Ranger Station. A full day is planned with activities including:

- "Ksanka amak'is - Kootenai Land/Ground presentation by Kootenai Elder Loretta Hoots
- Guided nature walk along the Ant Flat Trail
- Pack string demonstration
- Smokey Bear meet & greet
- Wildland fire engine demonstration
- Public viewings of the Ant Flat Ranger buildings and barns with historic Forest Service stories and memorabilia on display.

📍The Ant Flat Ranger Station is located 2 miles south of Fortine, MT and about 12 miles south of Eureka, MT on Highway 93, then turning west onto Ant Flat Road.

To view the full schedule of events, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/recreation/discover-history

Or contact the Eureka Ranger Station at 406-296-2536 for more information.

Photo: Bert Wilkie, Ranger Fred Herrig's son, leading the Ant Flat pack string, loaded with materials and supplies to outfit the Fortine ranger district for work during the 1930s. Credit-Kootenai NF archives.

Smoke from the neighboring Idaho Panhandle National Forest prescribed fire operations is visible from areas of the Koote...
09/24/2026

Smoke from the neighboring Idaho Panhandle National Forest prescribed fire operations is visible from areas of the Kootenai National Forest, specifically in the Bull Lake and Troy, MT areas. Read their full post below for more information.

Interagency Federal prescribed fire information and activity for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in the panhandle of Idaho

Prescribed fire operations continue today on the Kootenai National Forest.🔥Firefighters will be working in approximately...
09/23/2026

Prescribed fire operations continue today on the Kootenai National Forest.

🔥Firefighters will be working in approximately 90 acres in the Saw Creek units, located in the Beaver Creek drainage, roughly 10 miles northwest of Thompson Falls on the Cabinet Ranger District.
Smoke will be visible in surrounding areas and potentially from the Thompson Falls area and portions of Hwy 200.

🔥Crews also continue to monitor prescribed fire units where activities occurred earlier in the week.

Prescribed fire operations are planned throughout the rest of the week as weather conditions allow and daily updates will continue.

Remember that air quality can be checked at https://fire.airnow.gov/

Photo: A firefighter begins prescribed fire ignitions in the Wild Rice Unit, near Heron, MT. Credit-USDA Employee

Address

31374 US Highway 2
Libby, MT
59923

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14062936211

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