The Clear/Nez Zone targets as much 15,000 acres of prescribed fire each year. Prescribed fire is a component of fire management that is used to alter, maintain, or restore vegetative communities to achieve a desired resource condition. This tool also enables us to protect life, property, and resource values that may be damaged or destroyed by wildfire as a result of excessive buildups of fuels. Prescribed fire is also beneficial to wildlife by clearing overgrown areas, allowing for renewed growth and increased forage.
While many prescribed fires are lit by crews on the ground using drip torches, most of the ignition is done by helicopter; either by plastic sphere dispenser (PSD), or helitorch. Deciding which ignition device to use is determined by fuel type, terrain, weather, and the fire intensity required to meet the objectives of the burn. Musselshell Helitack is actively involved with aerial ignition of these units. In 2006, we lit nearly 5000 acres by PSD and another few hundred with the helitorch.
We currently have 3 qualified PSD operators on the crew, with another 10 available on the zone, and several personnel qualified in the various helitorch positions.
