Firewise Demonstration Garden

The MT City fire wise garden is an example of TCFSWG’s efforts to demonstrate methods to reduce risks to the home ignition zone. Fire wise practices include the use of construction materials, landscape design and vegetation that lower wildfire risk around a home. The plants selected for this project are “fire wise” or fire resistant, meaning they are less flammable than others and just happen to be drought tolerant and deer resistant! The primary goal of the project is to demonstrate that less flammable vegetation can create attractive landscaping and inspire the property owners to consider fire and drought mitigation at their homes.

Site prior to construction 2021
Construction of walk-way and planting beds. 2022
Year-3 Summer 2023
Summer 2024, finished garden and pavilion construction

PROJECT TIMELINE

2020-2021

A partnership germinates

In 2020 a partnership was established with the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department to construct a fire wise landscape garden at fire station 1, just north of the round-about at the Mt. City exit off I-15.  Start-up funding was provided by Jefferson County, the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation (DNRC), and the US Forest Service (USFS).

Irrigation installation
Landscape fabric- weed barrier installation

In 2021, the approximately one-half acre of land west of the fire station was prepped by removing the existing crested wheatgrass and reworking the soil. Irrigation, a concrete border, landscaping fabric, decorative rock and a decomposed granite pathway were installed. The pathway and site amenities were designed to be handicap accessible.  

Installing decomposed granite for walking path
Irritation and planting area preparation
Planting area preparation
Walking path and planting area

2022

the garden takes root!

During the spring and summer of 2022 irrigation, landscaping and the first phase of planting was completed. Over 52 flowering plants, 21 shrubs, and 10 trees were planted. A large variety of plants were planted to better demonstrate the wide range of fire wise vegetation that is available to use in this region of Montana. The garden was designed and planted to demonstrate that an effective landscape design includes well-spaced plants with low-flammability characteristics, surrounded by a non-flammable material like stone mulch. 

Many hands make light work when community volunteers come together!
Community volunteers and representatives from the MT DNRC and US Forest Service assist with tree planting.
The trees were donated by MT DNRC Urban Forestry Program

2023
nearing completion

Spring kicked off a busy season at the garden. The final garden bed, was constructed. Native plants and rocks were used for the new crevice garden, demonstrating how non-irrigated, native plants can be very attractive. 

 

The summer months were spent weeding and replacing some plants that died over the winter.  Four interpretive signs were installed and garden brochures were made available for the public.  In September, construction on the Sonny Stiger Memorial Pavilion began through the generous volunteer efforts of Abraham Construction and a generous donation from the Wolf Creek Cattle Company and TrueNorth Steel. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwfrY9IPIiw      Click link above to access video.     

The pavilion utilizes ignition resistant materials, which help reduce a home’s chance of ignition from direct flame, firebrand showers, and radiant heat.

2023 Crevice Garden construction

Ground preparation for the crevice gardens
Volunteers prepare area for additional crevice gardens
Placing mixed material for crevice garden
A special thank you to the Helena Central Lands Office DNRC and the USFS fire crews for lending their time and muscle to assist with moving gravel, rock and digging a ditch.

2024
The Finishing Touches

2024 was a busy and productive year at the garden!  Thanks to many volunteers, two more crevice gardens were constructed and planted. Abrahamson Construction completed construction of the Sonny Stiger Memorial Pavilion. Additional interpertive signs were installed and benches were placed inside the pavilion. The MT City Fire Department also installed a picnic table and benches. On September 7, an open house and dedication was attended by nearly 100 people!

Crevice garden construction

Volunteer Mike McFerrin operates equipment to help move rocks for the crevice garden
DNRC fire crew and Mike McFerrin placing material between rocks so plant roots can grow deep between the rocks.
East crevice garden

pavillion construction

Pavilion under construction 2024
The pavilion is constructed of ignition resistant construction materials.
The pavillion was constructed using ignition resistant materials and was named in honor of Sonny Stiger, the founding member of TCFSWG.
Brochures and a panel for garden information is located in the inside of the pavilion.
Board member and volunteer, Brad Langsather installs the garden sign to the front of the pavilion
TCFSWG board members and volunteers hang the pavillion dedication sign.

garden open house & dedication- 9/7/24

Sonny's wife Bev, daughter Michelle and son-in-law Rocky unvield the dedication sign.
Over a hundred plants were given away during the open house event.
Visitors to the garden open house were treated to lunch!
Over 100 people came to tour the garden and be part of the dedication.

A BIG blue sky and the Elkhorn Mountains were the perfect backdrop on a beautiful September day for an open house and dedication of the Sonny Stiger Memorial Pavilion and the Fire Wise Garden in Mt. City. More than a 100 people gathered to enjoy the open house which consisted of garden tours, plant      giveaways, a BBQ lunch, and the display of the Mt. City VFD fire trucks & apparatus. The main focus of the event was the recognition of garden sponsors and volunteers as well as the dedication of the pavilion which was built by  volunteers to showcase ignitio            construction materials.

The pavilion was named in honor of Sonny, the founding member of TCFSWG, who dedicated his professional   wildfire career to raising awareness about wildfire safety and prevention measures. The pavilion serves as a gathering area and contains informational materials about fire wise landscaping and wildfire safety. 

A special thanks to our garden volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event such a success! We’re looking for more volunteers to help! If you are   interested in becoming a “Friend of the Fire Wise Garden”, email us at president@tcfswg.org

The MT City Volunteer Fire Department particpated in the garden open house.

EXAMPLES OF FIRE WISE PLANTS 

Low growing groundcover

Ice plant (Delosperma)

Latex in leaves

Rabbitbrush (Ericameria)

Soap in leaves

Sweet William (Dianthus)