Last month, Jay Pape of Gallatin County Emergency Management joined us for a discussion of fire mitigation funding that’s now available in Gallatin County. This looks like a good opportunity with a high copay, and the requirements are not burdensome.

Gallatin County has received funding to help property owners in the Bridger Canyon project area reduce the risk of wildfire impacts to their homes.

Studies have shown that treating the area within 100’ of your house greatly reduces the potential impacts of a wildfire (see the attached flyer). To be clear- this is not a program that asks homeowners to clear cut their properties.

If you are interested in participating in this program, you can request a FREE Home Risk Assessment. Gallatin County staff will meet with you for the assessment and develop a treatment prescription. Projects could range from hand thinning areas just around their home and structures to larger, forest thinning type projects- depending on property size and continuity with neighbors.

Homeowners may then apply for a grant that will cover 60% of their out-of-pocket expenses. If the grant is awarded, we will provide list of contractors. A service contract is then developed between the Property Owner and the Contractor. After the work has been performed as defined in the prescription, the property owner pays the Contractor in full and submits a reimbursement request to Gallatin County for 60% of the total cost.

For more information and to sign up for your FREE Home Risk Assessment, go to: www.readygallatin.com/mitigation, email mitigation@readygallatin.com, or call 406-548-0118.