The State of Montana will pay the volunteer firefighters that fought the North Hills Fire. Montana DNRC has hired the firefighters under their Emergency Firefighter (EFF) program. The volunteers will be paid for their hours spent fighting the fire from 12:00 p.m. on July 26 through 12:00 a.m. August 1. Tri-Lakes Fire Chief Bob Drake said he’s thrilled everyone to responded to the North Hills is getting some help. “They’ll be getting paid the same rate as a basic firefighter-- which isn’t as much as if they went to work—but still it’s just awesome that we get to do that,” said Drake. The mutual aid partners that responded will also be paid for the use of their firetrucks.