SigMT

SiG MT 58 Red-flag weather plus a hot machine bearing destroyed this combine during the 2017 harvest. The crew quickly parked the burning machine in less-flammable no-till stubble, as others joined neighbors to stop flames spreading to standing wheat. Fires, sparked by an electrical bin-fan cord, ultimately destroyed several buildings at a farm site complicated by fuel and chemical storage and parked machinery. Multiple volunteer fire departments and neighbors saved the house, shops, and farm equipment. Diane Edwards farms with her two brothers on the north edge of Chouteau County – an area called Lonesome Prairie, where she never feels lonesome. She also regularly writes about science, medicine, technology, and related public policy for out-of-area clients. Fire losses can be substantial, with a single piece of farm machinery costing as much as $500,000 and thousands of acres of crop or pasture at risk. e Christmas Eve fire at Havre's Big Equipment was a multimillion-dollar event. Last summer's 22,000-acre East Fork fire in the Bear Paws destroyed grass and timber, miles of fence, tons of baled hay, and more. One rancher lost 8,500 acres; others lost 30 to 90 percent of their grazing acreage. In 1977, fire at a Big Sandy grain elevator took down the building and its 180,000 bushels of stored grain. Post-fire areas might suffer greater wind and water erosion, as well as soil fertility questions and weed overgrowth. Everyone knows the stakes are high, bringing together local ag producers and BSVFD volunteers. BSVFD typically lists 28 to 32 volunteers on its roster – expecting 10 to 15 at any given fire, though numbers can be problematic during harvest or other busy seasons for agriculture. Volunteer requirements are basic: age 18 or older, resident of the local district at least six months, and able to complete the 30 hours of training each year required by the state. Besides farmers and ranchers, the current volunteers crosscut the local economy: mechanic, welder, county/ state road crews, plumber, sales, banking, grain elevator operator, railroad, information technology, undersheriff, and retirees. ey range in age from early 20s into their 70s. Like departments elsewhere, there are concerns about aging crews, with fewer potential members as people work and live farther away from small towns. "When the old guys retire, we could be begging for new members," says Courtnage. "Volunteering is a dying art in these small communities. It is going to become an issue. In terms of response time, we need more people living right in Big Sandy, in addition to the area farmers and ranchers. We really appreciate their help, but we need more members in town so our response time is beer. at is why we keep three trucks parked out in the country [at farms and ranches], to compensate." BSVFD personifies a justly proud community that supplies experienced crews, an enviable fleet of more than a dozen customized trucks, a spacious and well-equipped fire hall, and cooperative neighbors. Not supported by local taxes that fund most fire districts, it relies on the annual fundraisers, individual donations, and local foundation grants that also underwrite the town's volunteer-run ambulance and search/rescue services. e 62 nd Annual Firemen's Chili Feed last September raised about $30,000, with much of the food donated by local ranchers (reports on the first feed boasted $282.11 collected). Planning for the 2018 fire season started months ago. Climate models predict that the region's average temperatures will keep rising. Flash droughts are now reality. ose who fight fire know the impact of being prepared. BSVFD is outfiing a new Type 3 rig using lessons learned at the East Fork fire. Ag operators are upgrading fire features on water trucks and checking dozers or disc-pulling tractors. Like summers past, they will be ready, watching the horizon. S MT

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