MONTANA WILDFIRES

1
MONTANA WILDFIRES

• Protecting critical infrastructure, private
  property, and Montana citizens from wildland
  fires.

2
2006 DNRC Fire Season
2006 DNRC Fire Season
3
2006 Montana DNRCFire Season

• 478 Fires
• 477,687 Acres Burned
• 60 MM Total Cost
• 35 MM Net Cost
• 3 FEMA Assist Incidents
• First Fire 1-8-06 (SWLO)
• Latest Fire 11-22-06 (SLO)
• Busiest Day 8/10 28 new fires

4
FIRE IN THE INTERFACE
5
January 2007 Cost Report

• 39 of DNRCs direct fire protection program is
  within the WUI, but over 66 of the wildland
  fires suppressed through that program occurred in
  these areas.
• 95 of wildland fires were contained as small
  fires and the initial attack success rate was
  similar for both WUI and non-WUI fires.
• Wildland fires in the WUI cost 46 more to
  suppress than non-WUI fires.
• Large fires gt10 acres represented less than 5 of
  the wildland fires, but over 89 of the total
  suppression related costs.
• Wildland fire suppression tactics change in the
  WUI to account for increased structure protection
  and can impose additional safety risks to
  firefighters.

6
RISK MITIGATION

• Private property fuels mitigation assistance
  programs.
• Fuels management activities on public lands.
• Homeowner education about Firewise and personal
  responsibility.
• Community level planning (PDM/CWPP)

7
OPPORTUNITIES

• Continue to secure National Fire Plan funding for
  fuels mitigation, homeowner education, and
  community planning.
• Tap into FEMA (PDM) funds for risk-mitigation
  related to wildfires.
• Improve community planning, development
  regulations, and design for firewise communities.

8
QUESTIONS?