America's Preparedness Report Card 2015

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Montana

Montana Wildfires

Montana earns its best grade for its preparedness actions taken to address wildfire risks. The state faces a lower threat level than most states affected by wildfires, but is still taking strong action to prepare for current impacts. Montana has even begun to understand its future wildfire risks by tracking its current fires and trends. Developing an adaptation plan is the next step the state needs to take.

Threat

Action

For more information on how prepared Montana is for its growing wildfires threat, read the detailed state summary.

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Is Montana Taking Action?

  • The state’s Energy Assurance Plan includes strategies to reduce wildfire risks, and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has a fire suppression program
  • The Governor’s Report on the Potential for Drought and Flooding in Montana discusses how future wildfire impacts could affect water supply
  • Montana has not taken steps towards creating a statewide, detailed climate change adaptation plan or implemented strategies that would help improve its resilience against climate change-related wildfire

Did you know...

  • There were 10 times more large wildfires (larger than 1,000 acres) that burned over the last ten years, on average, than in the 1970s
  • Roughly 60% of the people in Montana are currently living in areas with elevated vulnerability to wildfires