FireSafe Flathead

Survey for Whitefish Community Wildfire Protection Plan A survey for the 2026 Whitefish Community Wildfire Protection Plan is now open, and people are encouraged to participate.

Expect to see smoke in Northwest Montana! 🌲 The Flathead National Forest is conducting prescribed burns over 600 acres this spring.

What you do really matters. Join NFPA for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 2nd. The event encourages people and organizations everywhere to take action and raise awareness to reduce wildfire risks. Put your community project on the national map at https://www.nfpa.org/events/wildfire-community-preparedness-day.

Smith Valley firefighters wrap up wildland training ahead of summer fire season Smith Valley firefighters completed their annual wildland refresher training to enhance safety and readiness for the upcoming summer fire season.

🔥 High above the Flathead, a rare breed still keeps watch.

As Northwest Montana's fire lookout towers approach their 100th birthday, the humans who staff them remain irreplaceable — and the experience tends to leave a mark for life.

📖 Full story: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2026/03/27/a-century-of-sentries/

Know it before you light it!

If you plan to burn debris, make sure you have the correct local permissions and are aware of any restrictions, check the weather forecast to avoid burning on dry, windy days, and keep a shovel and water hose nearby to ensure you can control the burn. Never leave burning debris or campfires unattended.

Flathead National Forest begins prescribed fires Flathead National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this spring, pending all required approvals

Our very own Mike West to be honored at Wildland Urban Interface Conference this month!

Kalispell man receives national honor for wildfire mitigation efforts Mike West, a fire prevention and mitigation specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, was awarded the 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Award.

🌲 Flathead National Forest authorized West Reservoir project involving 7,704 acres of vegetation treatment west of Hungry Horse Reservoir, including 2,000 acres commercial timber harvest in high wildfire risk areas, 4,654 acres prescribed fire, 873 acres whitebark pine restoration, and 4.7 miles new roads. Forest officials say 10-year project reduces wildland fire risk to communities, improves forest health and ecosystem resilience, with hiding cover expected to return within 20 years after most-intensive harvests.

Read the full story: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2026/03/15/flathead-national-forest-authorizes-logging-project-west-of-hungry-horse-reservoir/

DNRC launches public survey on state trust lands The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is launching a new public survey to gather input from Montanans about what matters most to them when they recreate on state trust lands.