MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Plum Creek Timber Co. official says the company hopes to recover what it can from the forest burned in western Montana wildfires.

Northwest regional vice president Tom Ray says the company owns 7,000 acres that have burned in the Lolo Creek Complex.

Ray says company representatives will be at the site next week to see what is salvageable.

Mature trees could be used for lumber, medium-density fiberboard or paper pulp. Badly burned logs may be used as hog fuel at sawmill boilers.

The Associated Press reports most of the company's land holdings are on the north side of U.S. Highway 12, which is the most active section of the fire.

Ray says the company will look at reforestation and other efforts to restore the burned land.

More From KMMS-KPRK 1450 AM