HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Gov. Greg Gianforte mobilized the Montana National Guard Thursday to assist in wildfire response as the entire state faces abnormally dry conditions contributing to fire risk. The governor ordered two helicopter support crews, including 24 soldiers, to enter active duty. The Montana DNRC requested military support to aid in wildland fire suppression efforts, after one of the agency’s firefighting helicopters crash-landed and burned in heavy winds last month.
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Nineteen large fires were burning in Montana as of Wednesday. The Alder Creek Fire in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a top priority blaze in the nation as it threatens about 200 structures.
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