Archived Story

Three counties to get funding for 'firewise,' 'defensible space'
By SHERRY DEVLIN of the Missoulian

Work to make neighborhoods in the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys more "defensible" during wildfires got an $882,480 boost Thursday.

Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development received the grant from Montana's Department of Natural Resources and the National Fire Plan.

The money is to be used for "firewise" and "defensible space" forestry projects in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties, said Paula Rosenthal, the DNRC's National Fire Plan coordinator.

"By utilizing the RC&Ds in Montana, we hope to maximize the effort on the ground to reduce the chances that wildfires will destroy more homes and property," she said.

National Fire Plan money is intended for activities that reduce thickets of forest fuels in areas close to communities and for projects that restore the region's historic fire-adapted ecosystems.

Of $20 million available nationally, Montana's DNRC secured $2.9 million, or nearly 15 percent of the funds.

In addition to the Bitter Root RC&D, the state is working with Frenchtown Rural Fire District; the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department; the Tri-County Working Group in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson and Broadwater counties; and the Northwest Regional RC&D in Lincoln, Lake, Flathead and Sanders counties.
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