Expect Travel Delays
The Lolo National Forest is alerting the public to travel delays due to active timber operations on the Ninemile Ranger District along Southside Road east of Petty Creek Road. Work is expected to begin within the next week and will have significant impacts on travel, particularly along Forest Roads 5563 (Albert Lothrop Road) and 453 (South side Road).
Timber harvest and road work is expected to last approximately five weeks and will involve both timber harvest operations and road reconstruction work. Members of the public should be prepared for travel delays that may exceed one hour due to the presence of heavy equipment operating in the area and along the road. Motorists are urged to exercise caution in work zones and adhere to all traffic control signage. This project is part of a larger effort focused on fuels reduction, vegetation management, and road improvements designed to enhance forest health and long-term access to the area.
Operations will begin on the Albert Lothrop Loop in the western portion of the timber sale area. Log hauling will proceed west to Petty Creek Road and connect to Interstate 90.
“We understand these operations will cause inconvenience,” said Ninemile District Ranger Chris Gauger. “These are critical forest management activities that will help reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and maintain access. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation.”
For additional information and ongoing updates, please visit the Lolo National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo or contact the Ninemile Ranger District (406) 626-5201.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
Source: Lolo National Forest press release
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