Montana County Resolution Says Firefighters Not Required to Protect Homes

Lewis and Clark County commissioners have passed a resolution that says the location of homes will no longer dictate fire-suppression tactics or where fire lines are placed.

The Missoulian reports the resolution means firefighters will not be obligated to protect a home from a wildfire.

Sonny Stiger is a retired U.S. Forest Service employee and FireSafe Montana board member who helped write the resolution. He says a lot of crews think they must protect homes and the resolution lets firefighters know they are not obligated to risk their lives to save homes.

County commissioners signed the resolution last month. It also directs local crews to receive training in basic wildfire behavior.

Stiger will teach the first class to volunteer crews in Wolf Creek, Craig and Dearborn.