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Montana City Today
By the People, for the People
Experts Urge Montanans to Prepare Homes for Wildfire Season
Fire officials recommend taking proactive steps now to protect properties and aid firefighters.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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As Montana braces for another wildfire season, fire experts are encouraging residents to take immediate action to prepare their homes and properties. Recommendations include trimming trees, clearing leaves and gutters, and removing flammable materials like junipers from around the home. Firefighters say these preventative measures not only help protect individual properties, but also aid their efforts to defend neighborhoods from the spread of wildfires.
Why it matters
Wildfires have become an increasingly common threat in Montana, with the state experiencing some of its largest and most destructive blazes in recent years. By taking proactive steps to fireproof their homes, residents can significantly reduce the risk of property damage and better protect their communities.
The details
Fire officials advise creating a 0-5 foot "lean, green, and clean" zone around the home, avoiding highly flammable plants like junipers, and keeping firewood piles a safe distance away. They also recommend contacting local fire safety groups like the Tri-County FireSafe Working Group, which offers free home assessments and other resources to help homeowners identify and address wildfire risks.
- Wildfire season typically runs from late spring through early fall in Montana.
- The Tri-County FireSafe Working Group hosted a wildfire preparedness event on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
The players
West Valley Fire Rescue
A local fire department that serves the Montana City area.
Tri-County FireSafe Working Group
A community organization dedicated to promoting wildfire risk awareness and providing resources for homeowners.
David Hamilton
The fire chief of West Valley Fire Rescue.
Lois Olsen
The board president of the Tri-County FireSafe Working Group.
What they’re saying
“Really, the best time to start to prepare your home or your property for a wildfire is now.”
— David Hamilton, Fire Chief, West Valley Fire Rescue
“When you protect yourself, you protect your neighbor. When your neighbor protects themselves, they protect you, and that's really what it's all about. You don't want the fire to spread from house to house as we've seen.”
— Lois Olsen, Board President, Tri-County FireSafe Working Group
“Junipers are one that we see all the time, and junipers are like lighting a candle next to your house. They burn really well.”
— David Hamilton, Fire Chief, West Valley Fire Rescue
What’s next
The Tri-County FireSafe Working Group will be hosting additional community events and offering free home assessments throughout the spring and summer to help residents prepare for wildfire season.
The takeaway
By taking proactive steps to fireproof their homes and properties, Montana residents can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage and better protect their communities. Partnering with local fire safety organizations can provide valuable resources and guidance to ensure homes are as prepared as possible for the upcoming fire season.
