West Surprise Project- Libby Ranger District UAS LIBBY, MT September 10, 2018 In August 2017, a lightning cause wild fire started the Tamarack Fire, and burned approximately 400 acres. Post fire suppression, the forest responded by assessing the potential for salvage and consequently was able to use a categorical exclusion to salvage 200 acres of the fire. The ID team which was assessing the fire for salvage noticed that the entire area appeared to be in a relatively homogeneous age class and species composition dominated by Douglas-fir. The fire activity in conjunction with the species composition, age- class, endemic root disease and cumulative drought stress are contributing to an observable increase in Douglas-fir bark beetle and fire engraver. What also became apparent was the lack of forage for big game in the eastern portion of this parcel of Forest Service ownership. Based on these observations, the ID team which worked on the Tamarack Fire Salvage assessed the landscape and determined there is a need to shift species composition, age classes and stand densities to trend towards the desired conditions as identified in the revised forest plan The project area is an isolated parcel of Forest Service ownership surrounded by Weyerhaeuser and state ownership. Although the project area is not technically in the wildland urban interface as defined by the Lincoln County Wildfire Mitigation Plan, it does pose a significant risk to the private lands which are adjacent if a wildfire as to start within the project area (the Tamarack Fire is pretty good evidence that there is potential) and may burn onto adjacent ownership. Kootenai Forest officials have also identified approximately 3,000 acres for potential treatment through a combination of regeneration and intermediate harvesting. We would like to offer interested individuals and groups the opportunity to learn more about t project area, the proposed treatments and provide comments directly to the Forest Service Please join us on September 19 at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor's Office, 31374 U.S. Hwy 2, Libby, MT 59923, from 1700 1830 to discuss this project USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer