A library of local and national resources to get you started:
Local Resources -
NW Montana Hazardous Fuels Program is now delivered through Montana West Economic Development. Competition is high & grant locations shift frequently, but funding may be available to offset the cost of fuels reduction in your area. Call Community Forester Carrie Johnson for more information! 406-257-7711 x7
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been awarded funding to reduce fuels and improve forest health in several areas of Flathead County. See if your property is eligible HERE or call District Conservationist Sean Johnson at 406-309-3318.
Fuels reduction & logging contractors - To assist in finding a contractor HERE is a consolidated list to get you started. The Montana Logging Association also has a list of contractors from across the state: https://www.logging.org/
Flathead County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Updated in 2020
Flathead National Forest - Current Fire Danger, Fire Restrictions, trail and road closures, safety, and more.
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Fire Prevention and Forestry Assistance Programs
Swan Valley Connections is on a mission to inspire conservation & expand stewardship in the Swan Valley; part of that providing forest stewardship advice, education, and funding.
Fire Adapted Kootenai - If you live in Lincoln County Fire Adapted Kootenai is THE place to go for information.
Fire Situation and Information -
Kalispell Interagency Dispatch Center WildCAD shows all local responses and status.
InciWeb - The Incident Information System is the place to go for updates on large fires, both local and national.
Northern Rockies Coordination Center - Learn about fire danger, fire weather, national fire situation, predictive services, and more.
Fire Restrictions prevent human-caused wildfires when fire danger is high to extreme, when fire activity is high, and firefighting resources are limited.
Flathead County OES Facebook Page is used to share interagency wildfire information when a Joint Command Center is in place during busy fire seasons.
Wildfire Preparedness includes: being aware of seasonal fire conditions, hardening your home, creating and maintaining the Home Ignition Zone, having a family emergency plan, and being prepared for evacuation.
Fire Safe Marin has a TON of high quality resources to share on a spectrum of wildfire preparedness topics.
Insurance Institute of Building and Home Safety (IBHS) Video showing the effect of embers on landscaping & the effectiveness of ignition-resistant concepts.
Firewise & IBHS worked together to produce wildfire research fact-sheets for homeowners.
Be Ember Aware Most home lost to wildfire ignite NOT from the flaming front, but from surface fires and the accumulation of embers.
WILDFIRE Home Retrofit Guide A complete guide on how to “harden your home” against the blizzard of embers associated with an approaching wildfire.
Firewise Communities - Become a Firewise Community and prepare your home, family, and community for fire seasons.
Ready, Set, Go. - Have a plan in place and prepare for evacuation early.
Living with Fire Evacuation Checklist be prepared to evacuate quickly & safely— a checklist can help!
Complete Home Inventory Insurance agents recommend documenting a complete home inventory just in case that really bad day happens.
Air Quality & Smoke - Air quality is a big deal. It’s important to know when it’s ok to be active outside and how to protect children and vulnerable populations when air quality is poor.
Current Air Quality at AirNow.gov Check air quality in your location.
Fire and Smoke Map See where smoke is coming from and check air quality across the nation.