Montana’s own fire prevention specialist for the Flathead National Forest, Mike West, was recently recognized for his wildfire preparedness work. The National Association of State Foresters, National Fire Protection Association, USDA Forest Service, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs presented him with the Wildfire Mitigation Award, the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.  

Since 2016, West has been one of the primary facilitators for Firesafe Flathead, a community collaborative that facilitates millions of dollars in grants. The Flathead Valley has some of the highest wildfire hazard potential in the nation. Grants from Firesafe Flathead fund hazardous fuels mitigation efforts across thousands of acres of the Flathead Valley with partners Flathead County, Flathead Electric Co-Op, Flathead National Forest, Montana West Economic Development, Natural Resource Conservation Service, local fire departments, private landowners and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to fund hazardous fuels mitigation efforts across thousands of acres of Flathead Valley.

“Firesafe Flathead has connected our community members with multiagency stakeholders,” said Flathead National Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello. “Mike diligently provides critical information about fuels mitigation work and creates opportunities that work across jurisdictional boundaries. He’s proactive, galvanizing and innovative in his efforts to prevent wildfire impacts to our communities.”

A sense of public service and passion have brought several rural Montana communities together to work toward a shared vision encompassed in Flathead County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan.  

Tangible actions across the community such as the recent Firesafe $10 million Community Wildfire Defense Grant issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service establishes a clear difference on the ground for rural residents. This grant serves low-income communities adjacent to Glacier National Park by providing funding to treat over 3,500 acres and directly benefiting 80,000 community members.  

West also spearheaded the recent Blacktail Powerline Project, an exemplary collaborative planning effort between the Flathead National Forest, Flathead Electric Cooperative, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area with the objective of increasing electrical grid reliability while decreasing the risk of wildfire in the Lakeside community. The project will be implemented by Montana DNRC through the Good Neighbor Authority.

“Mike is a force multiplier in our Montana community and beyond, and I am proud to support this Wildfire Mitigation Award,” said Shawn Thomas, state forester, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.