5 May 2022

“In Montana, we do not, and will not, have a ‘let it burn’ policy,” Gov. Greg Gianforte told representatives from about a dozen state and federal agencies present at the briefing. “We will respond immediately to fire with one primary goal, and that is to put that fire out as safely and quickly as possible. I appreciate all of your commitment to embrace that strategy along with the state.”

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Understanding the fire paradox: Why we need fire to prevent fire

In 1911, the Forest Service stopped using ground fires to thin fuels, and in 1935, a new policy went into effect to put out all wildland fires within 24 hours of detection.

They ditched that policy in the 70s, but now, a new bill introduced by two California Republicans aims to bring that strategy back.

Montana 2022 fire season likely better than ’21, but high firefighter vacancies among challenges

Governor Gianforte calls for ‘aggressive’ approach

Officials say scarce resources, hiring challenges could complicate the upcoming fire season

Gianforte presses to extinguish all fires in 2022 Montana wildfire briefing – “In Montana, we do not, and will not, have a ‘let it burn’ policy,”