SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Ranger District continues to be busy with post-fire recovery work and recreation management. Fire danger is Extreme and the District outside of the wildernesses is in Stage II restrictions. Project status, restrictions and exemptions change regularly so the public is asked to call the District office, 406-677-2233, for the most up-to-date information.
Road Work
The District is completing infrastructure repair and maintenance work on a daily basis. Several roads are now re-opened for the remainder of the season but the public may encounter log trucks and equipment on roads. The majority of the construction activities should be completed by September.
Currently the Forest Road 36019 off Swamp Creek is closed indefinitely at the intersection with Swamp Creek Road #4379.
Rice Ridge Road #720 is closed between Camp Creek Road and Richmond Ridge Road due to a washout. Culvert installation will occur this week - expect delays. It is expected to reopen Aug. 20.
Henry Mountain #5407 is closed from mile 2.5 at the junction with #56312 to mile 4.8 due to a washout.
Culverts are being installed on the connector road #4343 between Rice Ridge Road #720 and Morrell-Clearwater #4353 - Expect delays.
The Morrell-Clearwater Road #4353 will have delays up to four hours due to culvert replacement work that started Aug. 6.
Timber Salvage
Post-fire timber harvest projects are currently in the NEPA analysis process and on track with planning timelines. If a decision to implement is signed, the District anticipates conducting work into the winter. Hauling of log decks created during the indirect fire line suppression efforts will be completed by Oct. 31.
Big Larch Campground
The boat launch and day-use area are open for public use. The campground will remain closed into the fall pending contract award to remove the insect and disease-affected Douglas-fir trees.
The boat launch will undergo reconstruction this fall. Excessive flooding this spring caused permanent structural damage to the dock moorings. The District will install a new dock with the reconstruction of the boat ramp this fall.
District Ranger Rachel Feigley wrote in a press release, “We are looking forward to completing these improvements so the campground and boat launch are safe and provide valued infrastructure recreation assets that serve forest visitors as well as contribute to the community!”
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