Governor Judy Martz Addresses Forest Service Fire Policy
in Conversation with Forest Service Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2001
Contact: Mike Foster
406-444-5523

(Helena)-In a conversation today with Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Governor Judy Martz expressed great concern regarding the Forest Service’s recent actions on Bob Marshall Wilderness fires, particularly the Biggs Flat fire west of Augusta.

“While we understand and respect the role of fire in our forests to control fuel buildup, our nation’s Forest Service must understand the role that drought plays in fire behavior,” said Governor Judy Martz. “Given the conditions of our forest and our extended drought, we strongly question the current Forest Service approach to fire management. We cannot risk lives and property. Montana simply cannot afford the ‘let it burn’ policy.”

Governor Martz also addressed the potential economic impact to the state of Montana with regard to Forest Service decisions. In addition to negative impacts on business and property owners, the state is responsible for covering fire costs on both state and private lands.

“The Forest Service is making decisions that have a great impact on state lands and state budgets,” Governor Martz said. “Once a fire jumps onto state and private lands, we have the responsibility and the costs associated with that fire. Reports we have received indicate that there was ample opportunity for the Biggs Flat fire to be contained early in the process. Forest Service decision-makers chose instead to monitor the fire. Now that fire is threatening private property. This state cannot afford to pay for fire policies set by the U.S. Forest Service.”

Daily temperatures continue to be above normal for Montana, and the potential for windy conditions at this time of year are high, according to Bud Clinch, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

“Fire conditions in Montana are at historic highs,” said Director Clinch. “Currently there are seven fires burning in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Forest Service’s decision-making process lends strongly to the potential for catastrophic fires in Montana - even in October. We need only to look at the 1988 Canyon Creek Fire to be reminded of how rapidly these fires can expand beyond Forest Service containment and impact adjacent private property.”

Currently, the State of Montana has expended more than $8 million fighting fires, according to Budget Director Chuck Swysgood. Without a National Disaster Declaration, which state officials do not expect, Montana will have to absorb this cost, as well as any additional costs of fires that spread to state and private lands.

“We still have the remainder of this year’s fire season, in addition to next year’s spring flood and spring, summer and fall’s fire seasons to account for in the budget,” said Budget Director Swysgood. “We have already expended far more than $8 million in this year’s fire season alone. The state’s total disaster allocation is $12 million for the next two years.”

“Fire season is far from over in Montana,” said Director Clinch. “It is going to take a sizable snow event to lower the fire danger. With current forest conditions, the Forest Service must aggressively attack fires so that private property is not in danger.”

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