Prescribed Burns Planned for Missoula

Controlled fires aim to reduce wildfire risk in the area.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:34am

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The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Wildland Fire Service are planning to conduct prescribed burns around Missoula, Montana in the coming weeks. The controlled fires will target around 1,000 acres and are intended to reduce hazardous fuels, restore vegetation patterns, and lower the intensity of potential future wildfires.

Why it matters

Prescribed burns are a common wildfire mitigation strategy in the western United States, especially in areas like Missoula that are prone to severe seasonal blazes. By proactively reducing flammable vegetation, these controlled fires can help prevent larger, more destructive wildfires from occurring.

The details

The prescribed burns will be set using ground ignition with drip torches as well as aerial ignition by drone or helicopter. The fires may last for several days and will create smoke in the area. The public can track air quality updates related to the burns.

  • The prescribed burns are scheduled for the coming weeks as spring moisture rolls in.

The players

Bureau of Land Management

A federal agency that manages public lands, including overseeing prescribed burns to mitigate wildfire risk.

U.S. Wildland Fire Service

A federal agency that works with the BLM to conduct controlled burns and other wildfire management efforts.

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The takeaway

Prescribed burns are an important tool for reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires in fire-prone regions like Missoula. By proactively managing vegetation, these controlled burns can help protect local communities and ecosystems.