Contact:
John Bowe
406-829-3395 x 3447
BOZEMAN, Mont., April 18, 2019 – The goal of the Wildfire Adapted Missoula partnership is to address shared wildfire risk by mitigating current wildfire hazards surrounding the Missoula community via prescribed fire and thinning maintenance. Fuels reduction treatment projects will be strategically placed in the project area around Missoula.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Forest Service are working together to fund the Wildfire Adapted Missoula partnership across private and public lands. NRCS projects will use Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds.
While EQIP applications are accepted year-round, applications for the Wildfire Adapted Missoula initiative must be received by May 17, 2019, to be considered for this funding period.
Contact the Missoula County USDA Service Center at 406-829-3395 x 3447 for more information and to apply.
Modeling completed for the Lolo National Forest Risk Assessment (2016) and the Missoula County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2018) demonstrates that the risk of wildfire in the Wildfire Adapted Missoula project area is very high to high on 177,000 acres, moderate on 50,000 acres, and low on just 27,000 acres.
“Improving forest health and resiliency in the Wildfire Adapted Missoula project area will provide multiple benefits to the communities in the area, including a reduced risk of large-scale wildfires that have the potential to impact their homes, community infrastructure and backyard recreation areas,” said Tom Watson, USDA NRCS state conservationist for Montana. “The Missoula community will enjoy greater security when wildfires occur due to improved conditions for suppression operations.”