HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Governor Greg Gianforte has issued an executive order declaring a statewide wildfire fire emergency in Montana.
Gianforte says this order will help ensure that first responders have the suppression resources, supplies, and fuel they need to safely and aggressively respond. It helps procure additional tools and authorizes the Governor to mobilize the Montana National Guard to assist in fire suppression efforts. It also authorizes him to activate a mutual aid agreement that allows states to share resources with one another during times of emergency or disaster.
As of July 14th, almost 1,400 wildland fires have burned a collective 141,000 acres in the state. Around 78 percent have been human caused.
