HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today received the 2021 Fire Season Briefing from state and federal agency administrators and fire management officers.

“Much of Montana is currently in moderate to extreme drought conditions, increasing the risk of a severe fire season,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said. “With decades of combined experience and institutional knowledge, our fire managers are committed to reducing wildfire risk across the state and protecting Montanans and our home.”

He continued, “All Montanans must work together to reduce the burden on our firefighting resources this summer and prevent wildfires.”

Due to the extreme drought conditions, officials predict an above-average fire season – particularly in July and August.

Hundreds of Montana’s career and volunteer firefighters, including officials from state and federal governments as well as the Montana National Guard, are prepared to respond.

Gianforte emphasized the importance of actively managing forests to create safer conditions for our firefighters and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

“Given the forest health crisis here in Montana, I call on all of us around the table to get more private, state, tribal, and federal acres into active management to reduce the risk facing our communities,” Gianforte said.

Before beginning the briefing, the governor led a moment of silence for Tim Hart. Hart was a West Yellowstone smokejumper who passed away from injuries sustained while responding to a fire in New Mexico.

A flag will be flown at the State Capitol in Hart’s honor and presented to his wife and family in gratitude for his service to our state and nation through the communities, landscapes, and livelihoods he protected.