How Controlled Was That Burn

For the second day in a row crews have been conducting controlled burns in the Blue Mtn Recreation Area. The first day (4/10) several spots fires appeared to burn slash piles on the front slopes of the mountain. Today (4/11) a larger fire burned on the backside of the ridge in a bowl area. Plumes of heavy smoke first appeared in the late morning and continued through the day. It's understood that some areas were being cleared for habitat improvement and others to lower fire danger in overgrown areas.

Winds carried the smoke away from the Missoula Valley and pushed it down the Clark Fork River Valley. By mid afternoon it streaked across the sky and reached at  least as far as Alberton.  The smoky skies  should make for great sunset pictures,  check back tomorrow. If you take some good pics send them our way.