Local officials expect two laws signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte last week to improve firefighting in Jefferson County, mainly via the addition of extra staff like those who assisted local engines for the first time this past summer.
In early July, volunteer fire departments in Montana City and Whitehall brought on multiple full-time firefighters as a result of a 2023 authorization, linked to HB 883, enabling Jefferson County to receive its first-ever support from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Severity staffing program.
Nearly all of Montana’s 400 or so fire departments – including those in Montana City, Boulder, Clancy, Jefferson City, Basin, and Whitehall – are volunteer units. For decades, the DNRC has, during wildfire season, authorized funding for a select group of engines to bring on full-time staff for a limited time, such as July to September.
