Montana Officials Warn of Elevated Wildfire Risk From Increasing Drought, Heat and Wind
Key takeaways
- At a statewide wildfire outlook briefing on Tuesday, Gov.
- “As we look ahead to the season, our goal is straightforward: be prepared,” Gianforte said.
- Firefighter and public safety will remain the top priority, he said, adding that the state is committed to aggressively containing fires while they are still small.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
Republish. A helicopter crew battles a wildfire near Kalispell, Mont., in August 2022. Credit: Don and Melinda Crawford/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Related Why Wildfire Experts Are So Worried About This Year’s Fire Season As Wildfire Grows Near Ex-Nuclear Site, California County Sets Up Radiation Air Monitors Prescribed Burns and Forest Thinning Averted Millions of Tons of Emissions and Billions in Damages Share This Article Republish Most Popular An Iowa Town Spent $800,000 on a New Well. It Pumps Undrinkable Water. Colorado River Faces ‘Devastating Consequences’ If Another Dry Winter Lands, Experts Warn Dolphins, Sharks, Turtles and Workers Are All Victims of Unregulated Squid Fleets Montana officials are warning that the 2026 wildfire season could bring above-normal fire risk to parts of the state, driven by a mix of drought conditions, wind events and warmer-than-average winter temperatures.
At a statewide wildfire outlook briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Gianforte joined state, local and federal officials to discuss preparedness for the upcoming fire season, including expected weather patterns, firefighter staffing levels, funding availability and new technologies being deployed to detect and respond to fires more quickly.
“As we look ahead to the season, our goal is straightforward: be prepared,” Gianforte said. “Work together to protect Montana families, homes, communities and the natural resources that support our incredible way of life.”