Fires are a part of the natural life-cycle in the coniferous forests of the northern Rockies; in many burned areas regeneration is already happening.  Trees that are scorched often survive, while some species, like the lodge pole pine, begin growing only after a fire has taken place.

But nature doesn't need to take care of all the cleanup.  A wide variety of techniques are employed as a means to help ensure a healthy restoration of the environment.  Re-seeding with native plants and trees, as well as the falling of dead trees in a crisscross pattern on steep hillsides prevents the errosion of forest topsoil, thereby protecting the integrity of terrain and watersheds.  Other maintenance efforts are aimed at the actual prevention of fires.  "Cleaning" the forest floor of fallen trees, limbs and other detritus is a practice that can dramatically reduce the impact of fires on wild lands.  

These processes and techniques are already under way in Montana's fire-affected lands in an effort to ensure the safe mending of our forests.

Forest Recovery Information Sites:

Montana/Regional Fire Information Sites:

About Forest Fires
Wildland Fire: Any nonstructure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland. Each year more than 100,000 wildland fires occur in the United States.  More information is available from the National Weather Service's Fire Definition.

Montanan Fire Recovery & Assistance Information
This link is designed to provide information to Montanans who have sustained fire-related damage or loss.