As wildfire threats loom, funds available for Gateway homeowners

If you own a lot and it’s thick with trees but you don’t have the means or money to thin them and you’re worried about wildfire damaging your home and property, there’s a new program that can help and it’s completely free.

Flathead Electric Cooperative, Montana West Economic Development and the Flathead National Forest last week announced $10 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grant funding to help the communities of Columbia Falls, Coram, Hungry Horse, Martin City and West Glacier better mitigate their risk against wildfire. Collectively, these communities are referred to as the Glacier Gateway. All are identified as Wildland Urban Interface by Flathead County.

Of the $10 million, just under $8 million is for thinning near powerlines owned by the Co-op, but the remaining $2 million-plus is for home and landowners in the area. All told, about 3,500 acres in the gateway communities could be served by the grants.

Homeowners and landowners, regardless of the size of their lot are encouraged to apply, noted Christy Cummings Dawson of Montana West Economic Development, which is overseeing the effort on private property.

Home and landowners just have to fill out a short form on MWED’s website at dobusinessinmontana.com/forestry-assistance/

A staff member will then make a visit to the property where they’ll access the conditions and see how they can help. It could be something as simple as a big tree that’s too close to a house, or a major lot in need of thinning. Once a project is approved, MWED has a list of potential contractors who can do the work, or the homeowner can do it on their own. Once the project is complete to the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Firewise standards, the home or property owner is reimbursed.

“In addition to funding 3,523 acres of fuel reduction and enhancing the overall safety of area residents, this $10 million project is dedicated to fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities, making it an excellent fit for the work we do at MWED,” Cummings Dawson said. “Residents who receive grant funding for work to reduce their wildfire risk will also save money down the road, as maintenance will be more affordable and feasible for landowners in the future.”

The grant also helps Flathead Electric Co-op with the costs of clearing right of way near its powerlines.  Powerlines touching timber during dry windstorms have caused massive wildfires in other states, most notably California. The Camp Fire in that state, burned more than 53,336 acres, destroying 18,804 structures and resulting in 85 civilian fatalities. It was caused when a piece of Pacific Gas and Electric equipment failed, causing the blaze.

Here, the Canyon has seen its close calls.

The Ridge Fire in 2023 burned along the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir and into the Coram Experimental Forest outside of Martin City until rains finally halted its growth in late August of that year.

While no structures were lost, the fire cost $21 million to fight.

It doesn’t take long for fires to rip across the landscape, either.

In 2003, the Robert Fire started on the evening of July 23 just north of Blankenship on the west side of the North Fork Road. Stoked by high winds, it burned to West Glacier in a single day as it ran across the Apgar Range.

The grant funding is a 5-year program, though MWED would like to hear from landowners soon, Cummings Dawson said. She also suggested neighbors could also pool projects in areas as well.