Montana
State, federal & local leaders meet for annual Montana wildfire season briefing
HELENA — Despite a strong storm that brought snow to Helena Wednesday, Montana’s wildfire season isn’t far away. State, federal and local administrators met in Helena to talk about their preparations, in Gov. Greg Gianforte’s annual fire season briefing.
“It’s a great day to have a fire briefing, given the weather outside,” Gianforte joked.
Leaders met at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s fire aviation support hangar at the Helena Regional Airport. There, DNRC maintains firefighting helicopters before they’re sent into the field ahead of the start of the season.
Jonathon Ambarian
Matt Hall, chief of DNRC’s Fire Protection Bureau, said the department plans to hire just over 100 seasonal firefighters this year. He said they’ll be able to offer an entry-level wage of $19.05 – higher than previous years – because of the new state employee pay plan.
“I know we have a number of open fire jobs still posted today, but anticipate over the course of the next few weeks filling those positions fully with all of our seasonal staffing,” he said.
DNRC also cooperates closely with local firefighters. Hall said they’ve built 14 new wildfire engines this year, and they’re distributing them to agencies in Beaverhead, Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Fergus, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Phillips, Powder River, Sweet Grass and Stillwater Counties.
In addition, Hall said DNRC is planning to contract for another “Type 1” helicopter – a heavy helicopter that can carry around 2,000 gallons of water.
“Today we are on track to have firefighting resources ready and available for the 2024 fire year, and we look forward to working with our partners across Montana to increase wildfire readiness, to better serve the citizens of Montana,” he said.
Jonathon Ambarian
“Partnership” was a key word for all the agencies in attendance Wednesday. Tim Garcia, deputy regional forester for the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Region, talked about their close cooperation with the state on work like Good Neighbor Authority forest management projects.
“That foundationally is based on and built on the trust and the relationships that we have with our state DNRC partners,” he said. “We encourage and direct our line officers to really make sure that we’re having those people – having everyone – at the table as we go into fire season so that, again, we have that early and often communication.”
Garcia said the USFS is also optimistic they’ll get close to their goals for firefighter staffing this year, despite challenges like the cost of housing.
Leaders said it’s still early to know what kind of fire season Montana could see this year, but they’re prepared.
“People always say, ‘Well, what’s the fire season going to look like?’ And we oftentimes say, ‘Well, we’ll tell you in October,’” said Adriane Beck, director of Missoula County’s Office of Emergency Management and representative for the Montana County Fire Wardens Association. “I say that with some confidence, in that, whatever this fire season brings, know that your counties are ready. Your county fire wardens are working year-round in coordination with the state.”
Jonathon Ambarian
Since taking office, Gianforte has repeated two main priorities for the state’s wildfire response: aggressively attacking fires from the early stages to keep them small, and expanding the scale of active forest management work. He reiterated both points Wednesday.
“Together, we can continue to build healthier, more resilient forests, but it will take all of us,” he said.
May is also Wildfire Awareness Month. State leaders encourage residents to take steps to get themselves “fire-ready.” You can find more information at mtfireinfo.org.
“We can’t stop every wildfire from starting, but we can control our actions and our preparedness,” Gianforte said.
If a furry, playful, hugg-able, lovable kitten would be a great addition to your place, now’s the time to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana.
MEET BAKER AND BUSBOY
It was another Take Me Home Tuesday at the radio stations with the Humane Society. Katie brought in “Baker” (black kitty) and “Busboy” (gray kitty), who along with their two siblings “Chef” and “Cook” form a Fantastic Four of pure joy.
These two-month-old little ones were found in the Polson area and surrendered to the shelter. They just had their spay/neuter surgeries Monday (July 13) and they will be looking for their forever homes starting Wednesday (July 15).
Whether you are looking for one kitten or the whole “kitchen,” visit the shelter and fall in love with Baker, Busboy, Chef and Cook.
EVER CONSIDERED BEING A FOSTER HOME FOR SHELTER PETS?
It is kitten season at the Humane Society of Western Montana. The Humane Society is always looking for Fosters to take care of tiny kittens until they are old enough to be adopted. They currently have some that are with mom cats, and some that are bottle babies. And there is always a need for volunteers willing to nurture them until they are of adoption age.
And of course one of the perks of being a Foster is, if you fall in love with a kitten, you pretty much get first dibs.
READ MORE: Volunteers Hit ‘The Ridge’ To Improve Montana Elk Hunting Opportunities
So, whether you are looking to adopt or would like more information about being a foster home, be sure to visit the Humane Society of Western Montana soon. They are open from 1:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesdays through Sundays at 5930 Highway 93 South in Missoula. See more cats AND dogs waiting to be adopted on the shelter’s ADOPT webpage here.
LOOK: Can you tell the difference between these common pets?
Can you tell the difference between a hamster and a guinea pig? How about a betta and a guppy? Test your pet ID skills in our cute quiz.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
HEBGEN LAKE, Mont. — A man was rescued after nearly drowning while swimming in Rainbow Point, located 10 miles north of West Yellowstone.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, along with Hebgen Basin Rural EMS personnel and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, responded to reports of a swimmer in distress.
Officials say bystanders saw a man become unresponsive while swimming roughly 100 yards off the shoreline.
They, along with a boating group, located the man, pulled him out of the water, and performed life-saving measures until first responders arrived.
The man was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Officials say he is in critical condition.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office released the following information:
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