..:: burn session ::..

I decided to do a controlled burn on my property yesterday. This is the first dry-sunny weekend that the valley has seen over the last month, and I really wanted to clear out some of the the old grass and weeds that had grown long in and around the creek bed that runs trough the "front yard" of my property.

The seasonal creek that flows through my property is an overflow from Trumble Creek that flows north to south down the Flathead Valley and eventually empties out into the Flathead River. Trumble Creek itself runs all year long, but the little overflow portion that flows through my property usually only lasts for a couple weeks in late spring and early summer.

This year I am expecting a better than average flow with all the snow we have gotten in the surrounding mountains and it would not surprise me if it stayed around for several weeks this year thanks to all the runoff that is expected for the valley. I remember one year, several years ago now, when the creek lasted for something like four to six weeks. That would be cool if that would happen again, that is what I am hoping for anyway.

The creek looks so much nicer when the grass and brush that lines it's bank is kept short, but it is a pain in the neck to try and cut all of last years over-growth of grass and weeds by hand, or even with a push or riding lawn mower. It is so thick it just bogs the machine down. So this year I decided to conduct a little controlled burn on my property.



I think things went pretty well considering this is the first official controlled burning I have ever taken part in. All total I probably burned about 3000 -4000 sq.ft. of grass and brush on my property, (the seasonal creek runs the entire width of my property).

It was a perfect day... warm, but not too hot... dry, but not too windy.



In a few of the places where the grass was long and thick, the flames would leap into the air six or seven feet at times... it was a bit intimidating, but I always had things under control. ;-)



I cannot believe the amount of heat that comes off of even a relatively small grass fire like this one. There were a few times when I was in the midst of the burn area, making sure the flames stayed under control, when the heat was so intense I could hardly stand it. In fact I incurred a few minor burns on my face where my skin was exposed. Nothing serious, just like a really bad sunburn, but it hurt for a little while.

I have a whole new level of respect for my Uncle who is a retired firefighter out in Orange County, CA. He put in over 30 years on the force out there... my hat is off to you "unc". Also to all the men and women who fight the forest fires up here in MT every season... the intense heat... the smoke inhalation... it is not fun.



Anyway, I dont want this post to run too long, but , the premise is, I have successfully completed my first controlled burn on my Montana acreage, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. Also, aside from the black charcoaled grass and ash that will fade-away over the next week or so, the property does look infinitely better now that all the dead brush and long grass has been burned away, and I am now ready for the river to come. Bring on the snow-melt and bring on Trumble Creek!

PS... Stay tuned for tomorrow's post ..:: avalanche hunter ::..