Articles written by Chris Johnson


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  • 2019 fire season transitions to prescribed burning

    Chris Johnson, Missoula County Fire Protection Association|Oct 3, 2019

    The 2019 fire season has come to a close. There were 142 wildfires suppressed in west central Montana. In our communities, 2019 will be remembered as a welcome respite from wildfire smoke. Wildfire conditions in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were much like ours, so smoke wasn't drifting in from the west as it has in recent years. Even though there was a typical number of wildfire starts, live fuel moistures were high most of the summer due to intermittent wetting rains. Live fuel moistures in the...

  • Moving forward with fire - An updated plan for Missoula County

    Chris Johnson, Missoula County Fire Protection Association|Oct 11, 2018

    On May 24, 2018, the Missoula Board of County Commissioners approved an updated version of the 2005 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The update was a collaborative effort of Missoula County Office of Emergency Management, Frenchtown Rural Fire District, Montana DNRC, US Forest Service, BLM, Missoula County Community & Planning Services, Missoula County Fire Protection Association (of which Seeley Lake Rural Fire District is a member), the Nature Conservancy, City of Missoula Development Services, Missoula City Fire Department, Missoul...

  • Are You Ready & Set to Go?

    Chris Johnson, Missoula County Fire Protection Association|Sep 8, 2016

    During the 2016 fire season in western Montana, many residents have been directed to evacuate their homes because a wildfire is fast-approaching. For many residents in the Roaring Lion area near Hamilton, homes were lost completely and our thoughts are with them as we write this letter. We live in the same communities, and will be there to do our part as first responders in times of need. Like many homeowners all across the country, our families are ready for potential evacuation. There are some who have not made adequate preparations yet but...