Missoula County announced on Apr. 14 that it will host a free Wildfire Preparedness Day for residents of the Seeley Lake area on Saturday, May 2, at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation.
The event aims to help community members prepare for wildfire season by providing information from wildfire professionals and local agencies. Residents can visit between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn about home preparation, grant opportunities for property fuel management, evacuation planning, forest management, clean air spaces in homes, and creating defensible space around properties.
Several organizations will participate with informational tables and resources. These include the Missoula County Wildfire Mitigation Program, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, U.S Forest Service, Wild Montana, Red Cross of Montana and Idaho, Clearwater Resource Council, Seeley Lake Rural Fire District, and Missoula Electric Coop. Attendees can also enjoy yard games and refreshments while children have opportunities to explore a wildland fire engine or meet Smokey Bear.
“Wildfire season is around the corner, which can make a lot of people nervous,” said Olivia Anderson, wildfire mitigation specialist at Missoula County. “By learning about and taking actionable steps, residents and homeowners can be prepared. There are dozens of resources available to Missoula County residents and many agencies who are ready to help you.” The county’s Wildfire Mitigation Program offers free risk assessments as well as community-wide planning support.
Missoula County supports local culture through events at fairgrounds and educational programs according to its official website. The county manages facilities such as the Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center for community learning activities including 4H programs according to its official website. It also celebrates local culture by announcing book award winners through its public library according to its official website.
The county focuses on enhancing welfare with ecology-focused programs alongside education initiatives according to its official website. Leadership is provided by three elected commissioners who oversee budgets and policy decisions according to its official website. Public safety practices such as promoting safe outdoor burning each March benefit residents according to its official website, while broader efforts include funding park improvements as well as supporting agricultural producers through educational programming according to its official website.
