Fire season in Western Montana often stretches for several months – no longer just a few weeks. Intense and fast-moving wildfires in the areas where the forest and neighborhoods meet have become more frequent. Experiencing wildland fire is part of living in Missoula, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to adapt. To help Missoula reduce the risk of an uncharacteristically large wildfire, the Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest, the state of Montana, and other partners are working together to develop an all-lands focused fuels project called “Wildfire Adapted Missoula” or WAM.
On June 10th, a City Club Missoula panel of a fire scientist, a federal forest manager, and local elected leader will explore why and how we can reduce our risk and what being wildfire adapted means. Join us to hear Missoula District Ranger Jennifer Hensiek, Forest Service Researcher Mark Finney, and Commissioner Dave Strohmaier talk about efforts to make our surrounding forest and community more resilient. Karen DiBari of the National Forest Foundation will moderate the panel.