Big Mountain Fire District Wildfire Evacuation Plan

Living in Northwest Montana brings both serenity and responsibility. Communities, like ours, located in a wildfire-prone area need to take extra measures to live safely. Each Spring our goal is to educate and prepare the community for a wildfire event on Big Mountain. Last month our focus was on “Hardening our Homes.” This month you’re encouraged to create and/ormaintain the defensible/survivable space around your home, and to take advantage of the annual Brush Collection Day which was held June 15th. In addition to protecting our homes and property, we can act now and“Get Ready” to protect our families and ourselves.

Having a plan is a step towards protecting your family in a wildland fire situation. Involve the entire household increating a personal Wildland Fire Action Plan and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Consider a location for your family to meet. Designate a meeting location outside of the fire hazard area. How will you communicate with extended family? Register for email and textnotifications on the Big Mountain Community website. Educate all family members on the use of fire extinguishers, and the location and operation of gas, electric, and water main shut off valves. Have important documents, photographs, medications and computer backup files ready to grab and go. Have a battery powered radio (don’t forget the batteries), and a backup battery or way to charge your cell phone.

Consider each family member as you assemble a “Go Bag”. Pack a separate “Go Bag” for your pets. Create an Evacuation Checklist. Remember to rehearse your plan regularly.

These are just a few things for you to consider when creating your action plan. The internet has multiple sites with listsof suggested and essential items to include in a “Go Bag” for you and your pet. There are also many examples ofwildfire evacuation checklist to help you get started with your own personal plan. A more comprehensive guide for creating a Wildland Fire Action Plan can be viewed at: https://www.iafc.org/docs/default-source/pdf/rsg-eag.pdf?sfvrsn=d1316f0c_20

Being prepared is key when faced with the reality of evacuating your home in the event of a wildfire.

Be ready, aware, and act early!

BRUSH MANAGEMENT

Should you wish to dispose of brush on your own, you can take it to the County Landfill located at 4098 Hwy 93Nbetween Whitefish and Kalispell. Their hours are 8am to 5pm seven days a week, except for holidays. The telephone number is 406-758-5910. Further information can be obtained at www.flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/waste

Please note, if a contractor is cleaning up your property, they are responsible for disposing of the debris. The Landfill may charge a fee to contractors.

PRIVATE TREE SERVICE INFORMATION

Your Firewise Board strongly recommends that District residents take steps to protect against a wildfire damaging their property and the surrounding community. One way to accomplish this goal is to contract privately with a tree service to remove dead and hazardous trees from individual lots. One knowledgeable contractor having done considerable past work in the area is Big Mountain Tree Service, tel: 406-261-2042, Mitch Crider, Proprietor. Feel free to contact Mitch to schedule a free estimate and subsequent mitigation, if so desired. Or contact any other tree service of your choosing. The cost of any such thinning/cleanup would be at the property owner’s expense.

Thank you for your effort in improving our community’s survivable space!