PHOTOS: Montana is obviously a big place, so it takes a lot of resources to cover such a vast territory. There are over 280 fire departments across the state, with the vast majority (80%+) being completely volunteer. No matter if they're career or volunteer, one of the most loved assets of fire departments? The fire stations themselves.
For as much history as we have in Montana, it was more challenging than we thought to find fire houses or stations that really had some old funk or personality. But the reason for that is easy - so many fire "stations" are extremely rural and strictly utilitarian...built to stand up to brutal weather. Most, in fact are similar-looking corrugated metal buildings used simply to store equipment and vehicles.
It's pretty amazing to see a map of all the rural fire districts across the state of Montana.