BLM-North Central Montana District, wildland firefighters pose for a photo on Limekiln Trail in the Judith Mountains on May 18. The group was “getting in shape for the season, according to Patty Thompson, who was hiking the trail when she stopped the men and asked to take their photo. From left is Tyler Hodve, engine captain from Lewistown; Gage Bass, wildland firefighter, from Lewistown; Bryce Alexander, wildland firefighter, from Gerry, New York; Giovanni Huguez, senior wildland firefighter, from Lewistown. Photo courtesy of Patty Thompson

Green pants, yellow collared shirts, fire boots, and hard hats – the uniforms might be quite familiar to Central Montanans after the historic 2021 fire season. Lewistown and surrounding areas saw an influx of firefighters from across the nation when three major fires drastically changed life and the landscape for many. 

While help arrived from all over, firefighters stationed in Lewistown were also on scene. With the gradual arrival of the summer season, local agencies are again preparing for the upcoming fire season in several ways, including bringing on seasonal staff. One agency staffing up is the Bureau of Land Management North Central District, which employs seasonal and permanent firefighters for stations in Zortman and Lewistown.

Area residents might notice a few new and a few familiar faces around town as the firefighters make Lewistown their home for the fire season. The North Central District employs wildland firefighters to man the Lewistown Station’s three Type 6 engines and Type 3 helicopter. However, those resources will likely travel across the country if the need arises.

“When we don’t have fires here, they’re going elsewhere,” said Robert Smith, assistant fire management officer in Lewistown. “We just sent an engine to New Mexico.” 

The seasonal firefighters came back on the job in Lewistown the beginning of May and will usually stay through September. While it’s not exactly “fire season” yet, they spend the month training and working on fuels projects. 

“In the springtime, we have a lot of required trainings,” said Smith. “When we’re not fighting fire, we’re doing fuels work – cutting trees, preparing for prescribed burns.” 

The crew spent time in the North Moccasin Mountains lately preparing for a burn, but conditions were never conducive to conducting the burn. 

“We were looking at burning in the North Moccasins, but it just didn’t work out,” said Smith. “We likely won’t be doing any more prescribed burns now for the rest of the year.” 

Their trainings also include physical fitness, as the job can be physically demanding, and often requires mountain climbs with equipment packed in on the firefighter’s back. 

“We do physical training every day,” said Smith. “The guys were up Limekiln last week doing a PT hike.” 

The North Central District is also working on a “lop and scatter” project north of Winnett, which they will continue throughout the season as time allows. 

“We’re cutting down small trees that encroach on meadows and thinning a number of trees,” said Smith. 

The Lewistown Station will be fully geared up for the fire season when the helicopter arrives the beginning of June. 

“It’s scheduled to be operational around June 11,” said Smith. 

The Lewistown Station is conducting classroom fire training this week and will conduct a field week in the Winnett area the middle of June. 

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