Gov. Gianforte Secures Wildfire Response Support from Utah, California

• July 23 2021

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced he secured the assistance of Utah and California for Montana’s wildland fire response. Requested through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the support from Utah and California will arrive in Montana by tomorrow.

“I want to thank Utah Governor Spencer Cox and California Governor Gavin Newsom for authorizing the deployment of critical wildland firefighting resources and personnel to the state of Montana,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We will continue to support our neighbors, as they’re supporting us, particularly as we all confront wildfire in the West.”

Utah will send two task forces to Montana for a total of seven engines and 25 personnel, and California will send one strike team with five engines and 20 personnel.

With assignment locations determined by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Northern Rockies Multi-Agency Coordinating Group, the teams will support initial attack of wildland fires and/or extended attack of wildland fire incidents for two weeks.

Through the EMAC mutual aid system, states can share resources and support each other when critical needs arise. Mission-related costs are reimbursed by the requesting state.

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