Montana officials are warning that the 2026 wildfire season could bring above-normal fire risk to parts of the state, driven by a mix of drought conditions, wind events and warmer-than-average winter temperatures.
At a statewide wildfire outlook briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Gianforte joined state, local and federal officials to discuss preparedness for the upcoming fire season, including expected weather patterns, firefighter staffing levels, funding availability and new technologies being deployed to detect and respond to fires more quickly.
“As we look ahead to the season, our goal is straightforward: be prepared,” Gianforte said. “Work together to protect Montana families, homes, communities and the natural resources that support our incredible way of life.”
Firefighter and public safety will remain the top priority, he said, adding that the state is committed to aggressively containing fires while they are still small.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation said it is fully staffed and ready for the fire season. However, officials stressed that wildfire response depends on coordination across state, local, federal and tribal agencies. And the initial attacks on small fires are usually done by local resources, many of them volunteer departments that have faced recruitment challenges, despite their critical role.
