Montana City VFD
PMB 2094
1 Jackson Creek Rd. Montana City, MT 59634
(406) 442-9828
Emergency Dial 911


Montana City Firewise Day a Success

Saturday, June 21

The interest shown by residents of Montana City during the 2008 Firewise Day, held Saturday, June 21, demonstrated the willingness of area homeowners to tackle fire mitigation and the pine beetle outbreak head-on.

While almost 70 people visited the booth at the Transfer Site to get information, two-dozen home evaluations were requested by homeowners – to evaluate their property for survivability during wildfire. The evaluations expose much of what homeowners are doing right to prepare for wildfire season, in addition to what still needs to be done to create survivable space for their homes.

Many homeowners have been working diligently to remove red, dead beetle-killed trees, (new fuel for this year’s wildland fire season) in addition to trees actively infested with beetles. Montana City Volunteer Fire Department personnel had a portion of a beetle-infested tree at the transfer site to show homeowners what to look for on their property.

In the afternoon, with sun beating down on the tree, firefighters removed some bark around a couple of pitch tubes and pine bark beetles swarmed from the tree onto the table, giving visitors a close-up look at this little scourge that has a tremendous impact on our forest landscape.

The largest and the smallest fire trucks were also at the Firewise booth so people could see why MCVFD needs homeowners to widen their driveways and create a place for a fire truck to turn around. Fire Chief Rick Abraham explained that 100’ is needed to turn Tender 2 the department’s longest vehicle. Brush 1, is the truck equipped especially for wildland fire.

Homeowners are still welcome to call Karen Semple, 443-3376, to schedule a free home evaluation.



About Survivable Space

With all of Montana City located within the Wildland Urban Interface or WUI (the area where structures and other human development meets or intermingles with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels, including grassland) it is important homeowners be prepared prior to a wildland fire.

Homeowners who take proactive steps to mitigate the risk of home ignition due to a wildland fire have a better chance of their home surviving the fire than those who do nothing to prepare their property.

The purpose of the Montana City Firewise Day is to provide fire mitigation information so homeowners are able to create a 'survivable space' for their homes. Firewise techniques homeowners utilize include: using fire-resistant plants in their landscaping, thinning trees and brush, building with ignition-resistant materials, and choosing building sites away from slopes. It is the homeowner's responsibility to create 'survivable space.' For more information on 'survivable space' go to FireSafe Montana's Frequently Asked Questions about Survivable Space or visit firesafemt.org.

Homeowners do not need to cut down all their trees to be "fire safe." Clearing out dead vegetation (including trees and brush killed by beetles and disease) in addition to thinning healthy trees and brush can actual result in an improved aesthetic appearance of the property. Opening up the tree canopy allows for grass and wildflowers to flourish in the sunlight and strengthens the health of remaining trees than in a crowded stand where many trees compete for same amount of soil nutrients and water.

Meriwether Fire - August 2007
The August 2007 Meriwether Fire threatened homes at American Bar near York, MT