The Tri-County Firesafe Working Group sharply increased its efficiency last year, protecting more area homeowners for less, despite reduced funding.
Tri-County, which works to improve wildfire safety in Jefferson, Broadwater, and Lewis & Clark counties, increased the number of properties treated by nearly 30% (26 to 34) and the acreage treated by more than a third (100 acres to 136), while receiving a third less in grant funds ($111,000 to just under $75,000) and reducing costs to homeowners ($40,000 per homeowner to $25,000).
“We have become more efficient since 2024,” said Tri-County President Lois Olsen, adding that the organization had built up a stable of reliable contractors to help with field work. “We have built our list up over time and the bids have been competitive.”
Tri-County also protected more structures (51 to 57) and completed more fuel treatment plans (4 to 10) despite making fewer property assessments (22 to 16). This year, Tri-County is working with Montana City’s Saddle Mountain Park to finalize a fuels reduction and mitigation plan.
County agencies are expected to oversee the work. “There would be no cost to the county as they would use it for a training exercise,” said Olsen. “They are still working out an agreement.”
Generate funding remains a key concern for the organization. In addition to smaller grants from state foundations, Tri-County plans to apply for a five-year Bureau of Land Management grant this spring and is waiting for the agency to release funding details.
“The grant situation nationally is very opaque right now,” said Olsen. “We will apply for any and all grants that we qualify for.”
