VIDEO: With fire season on the horizon, the risk is real for all Montanans.
“It’s huge. The risk is huge for wildfire in Missoula,” said Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier.
Fire officials met at City Club Missoula on Monday to discuss how people can get prepared. After all, the valley is prone to fires.
“It’s part of the evolved environment we live in,” said Jen Hensiek of the U.S. Forest Service. “We can expect, in any given year, 30 to 100 fire starts to generate in the Missoula and Lolo district.”
Hensiek is a ranger in the Missoula district. She says, while we should expect fires, we’re as prepared as we’re going to be.
“I think we’re in pretty good shape. We have a couple of engines on staff and work really closely with our partners in how to be prepared,” Hensiek said.
She said in addition to the work they’re doing now, the most important work is already done.