Fire Planned To Improve Habitat

U.S. Forest Service officials plan to burn 350 acres in the Colville National Forest to improve winter habitat for elk and deer.

Spokeswoman Cynthia Reichelt said the fire, near Pierre Lake about 20 miles north of Kettle Falls, will kill shrub stems that have grown too tall for the animals to reach and will allow new stems to sprout.

Reichelt said the fire will be set as soon as weather permits. The area was supposed to have been burned last spring, but there was too much rain. , DataTimes