Community Briefs

Asphalt Millings Pile Continues to Grow – No Current Legal Issues

SEELEY LAKE - The millings pile south of Seeley Lake has grown considerably over the course of the Highway 83 construction. There are currently no violations with the site.

The contractor is required to find a place for millings. Frank Tabish, project manager for the construction, said that LHC contracted with John Richards Construction to dump the millings on the site. The site is located on private property.

The property is located near Morrell Creek which raised some concern among locals. However, Missoula County said that the Department of Environmental Quality was notified of the site, which is all they require prior to stockpiling millings.

County officials said that to their understanding DEQ reviewed the site and has not identified any problems with the location in regards to water quality.

Fire Danger Remains VERY HIGH

MISSOULA – Fire danger remains VERY HIGH within Missoula and Flathead Counties. 

Recent days have seen temperatures in the nineties and grasses continuing to cure. This fine, dead fuel is the primary carrier of fire in the wildland and when fires get established in this fuel type they spread out of control rapidly. Multiple grass fires, caused by lightning, have escaped initial attack in the last week, some transitioning into the forest with rapid rates of spread. All fuels, both live and dead, have dried to the point that fires will quickly spread out of the control of initial attack resources. 

Firefighters can’t afford anyone to be careless during activities that have the potential to start a fire.

Outdoor debris burning by permit has been closed for some time now. The Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) thanks the community for supporting the cessation for the remainder of fire season. Residents need to know that our wildland firefighters face a long, arduous fire season even without having to respond to human-caused fires.

Dozens of fires were sparked in Saturday’s storm and all wildland fire agencies are busy doing initial attack. The men and women on the front lines, and those who face long hours in support of their efforts behind the scenes, have their hands full. The more careful everyone is with fire, the less danger first responders will face.

Fire danger is approaching EXTREME. Campfires are still allowed outside of the city limits of Missoula but people need to know that one careless moment can have devastating results on their neighbors and visitors.

At no time should a campfire ever be left unattended, until it is dead-out and cold to the touch. Do what firefighters do: DROWN with water, STIR with a hand-tool and FEEL with a bare hand to make sure the fire is out before leaving. One less spark, one less wildfire.

Bat Walk, July 22

Swan Valley - Join Swan Valley Connections on a Bat Walk to explore the fascinating world of Montana’s bats, Saturday, July 22 at 9 p.m. in the Holland Lake Day Use Area near Condon.

As the bats emerge to forage, participants will get to hear bat echolocation using special equipment. Special guest presenter Matt Bell will also share:

• Where bats go during the day/winter.

• Why bats are vitally important to the local ecosystem.

• Why some bats like to roost in human structures and how to bat-proof a home.

• How bats use echolocation to navigate and find prey in total darkness.

• The facts about rabies.

Bell has been leading bat walks for the past five years as a volunteer with the Montana Wild Education Center. Matt graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Wildlife Biology and currently works for the Montana Land Reliance.

Everyone is welcome to this free event. Contact 406-754-3137 or info@svconnections.org for more information.

Revive and Thrive Celebration Set for Fawn Pond, June 23

SEELEY LAKE - The Nature Conservancy, Blackfoot Challenge and Five Valleys Land Trust invite the community to this annual work party for the Clearwater-Blackfoot Project. The third annual Revive and Thrive volunteer event offers individuals and families a way to connect with nature in a very direct way by helping them build a trail and footbridge at Fawn Pond.

The work party begins at 10 a.m. All volunteers will be treated to a free lunch at 1 p.m. To volunteer, RSVP to Helen Jenkins at hjenkins@tnc.org or 406-543-6681.

The Nature Conservancy has worked to protect 117,152 acres of the Lower Blackfoot River watershed, called the Clearwater-Blackfoot Project. It’s right in Missoula’s backyard. It is not only a popular destination for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation, but also a key piece of the economies of surrounding rural communities. Since its purchase, the Conservancy has been actively restoring the land and streams as well as meeting regularly with the community to create a plan for the future of this special place.

This year, Revive and Thrive falls during Open Land Month which honors all that open land represents: local agricultural heritage, vast outdoor recreational opportunities, clean water, diverse wildlife habitat, scenic splendor and so much more! Come out and help keep Montana a place where both nature and people can thrive.

For information and a map to Fawn Pond, visit http://nature.org, search for Montana and click on Field Trips and Events in the left side bar.