What We Do
Proudly serving the tri-county area since 1984 to promote wildfire risk awareness, mitigation, and community safety.
Wildfire Risk & Mitigation Education
TCFSWG is dedicated to promoting awareness and education about community wildfire safety in the tri-county area. We have a variety of educational materials and presentations available. We also have several educational videos. We encourage you to view them and to share with your friends and neighbors.
We are available to come visit with your group, business, or neighborhood. Contact us today to arrange a visit, presentation, or to partner with us on an event!
Free Wildfire Risk Assessments & project plans
Many people in the tri-county area live in areas prone to wildfire. TCFSWG can provide you with a FREE wildfire risk assessment and mitigation project plan. Our assessment identifies your risk and makes recommendations for reducing them. Applying for an assessment is the first step in to participating in a cost-share mitigation project.
Remember, you don’t have to live in the forest to be in a wildfire! We evaluate properties across the tri-county area, including those within city limits.
After you apply, one of our qualified fuel mitigation specialists will visit you at your home to discuss your wildfire risk and mitigation recommendations, and provide you with a detailed home assessment document and draft risk mitigation project plan. It is up to you whether you choose to implement any recommendations. or move forward to participate in mitigation project cost-sharing. Apply today!
Mitigation Project Cost Sharing
For landowners that would like to hire a contractor to implement a mitigation project, TCFSWG works to secure funding for cost-sharing. Projects typically include cutting of small trees, pruning, and removal of fuels. Future grants may also cover “firescaping”. Depending on the specifications of the grant, our cost-share program typically reimburses the landowner 75% of their total project cost.
Landowners may choose any contractor they like for their project. TCFSWG does not dictate bid prices; however, the ability to provide cost-sharing may depend on specific grant requirements and funding available. As a courtesy, TCFSWG provides a list of contractors in the area who are experienced in this work as well as a bid form to assist contractors in bidding on projects. If you are a contractor and would like to apply to be added to the TCFSWG contractor list, please inquire to exdir@tcfswg.org.
We continually work to improve our program delivery, and landowners that have completed projects with us are invited to provide a survey.
Community Wildfire Planning
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) addresses issues such as wildfire response, hazard mitigation and community preparedness. It identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommends the types and methods of treatment on Federal and non-Federal land that will protect at-risk communities and essential infrastructure. The Tri-County Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan serving Broadwater, Jefferson and Lewis & Clark counties of Montana was updated in 2020.
TCFSWG has spearheaded the CWPP collaborative planning process since 1984. The enactment of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) in 2003 incentivized communities to engage in comprehensive planning and project prioritization with the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The legislation also provided communities with an opportunity to influence where and how federal agencies implement fuel reduction projects, as well as an opportunity to influence the distribution of federal funds.
Fire Wise Demonstration Garden
