Fire and Fuels Program
The Kootenai National Forest Fire and Fuels Program consists of:
- Wildland Fire
- Fuels
- Prevention
The Kootenai fire and fuels program is spread across four Ranger Districts in northwest Montana and supported by a central interagency dispatch center based in Libby, Montana. The forest also supports a rappel base.
- Cabinet Ranger District - Trout Creek, MT: Two Type 6 Engine Modules, Fuels Crew
- Libby Ranger District - Libby, MT: Three Type 6 Engine Modules, Fuels Crew
- Rexford/Fortine Ranger District – Eureka, MT: Two Type 6 Engine Modules, one Type 4 Engine Module, Fuels Crew
- Three Rivers Ranger District –Troy, MT: Two Type 6 Engine Modules, One Type 4 Engine Module, Fuels Crew
- Supervisor’s Office – Libby, MT: Helicopter Rappel Program and Interagency Dispatch Center
The Kootenai National Forest is comprised of a wide variety of terrain and fuel types that dictate wildfire response. The western portions of the forest are steep, rugged mixed conifer and lodgepole forests often in Wilderness or roadless where most responses are by smokejumper, rappel, or hiking. The eastern portions of the forest are primarily rolling hills of Ponderosa Pine and grass that are conducive to responding by engine.
The Forest is also part of an interagency fire organization that provides support to local, regional, and national incidents. The forest supports these efforts with engine modules, interagency type 2 hand crews, rappelers, and single resources. In addition to helping incidents accomplishing their objectives, wildland fire response provides employee development and strengthens crew cohesion. This benefits employees and the agency by creating well- rounded firefighters and a more dynamic workforce. This can vary from experiencing life on a handcrew to venturing out on a single resource assignment or joining an Incident Management Team.
When not on fire assignments or in training, all crews are engaged in project work. The majority of project work revolves around fuels treatment: thinning, slashing, and preparation for prescribed fire. In addition, crews work with other resource areas across the forest to help them achieve their program goals. This work includes: timber sale prep, trail maintenance, facility maintenance, and other projects as needed. This is done to help the districts that support our program.
Firefighters come in a variety of forms including: smokejumpers, engine crewmembers, helitack, and hotshots. Each fills a particular niche, but the arduous nature of firefighting places a common demand of exceptional physical fitness on all. Consequently, physical fitness is a priority for the Kootenai fire program. An hour out of each day is dedicated to Physical Training (PT) when not on fire assignments.
The PT program is designed to build both physical and mental stamina through a regimen of challenging exercises. On an individual level, the PT program reduces the risk of injury, builds self-esteem, and increases confidence. It also builds team cohesion via a group format. Increased physical fitness and crew cohesion provide for an increased margin of firefighter safety.
Each employee is required to pass the pack test. The pack test is a 3 mile walk, carrying 45 pounds, in 45 minutes or less. Successful completion of the pack test is a condition of employment.