Western Montana experienced significant destruction last summer due to a historic wind event that downed trees and power lines across the region. Additionally, wildfires continue to pose threats to power powerlines throughout the state. In response, Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC) has been awarded a $6.6 million grant to bolster its resilience.

According to a press release from MEC, the grant from the U.S. Department of Energy aims to "improve wildfire protection and storm resilience in a portion of its service area." This funding is part of the Wildfire Assessment and Resilience for Networks (WARN) initiative.

MEC plans to use these funds to bury power lines in the Seeley-Swan corridor, a proactive measure to prevent future outages and damage. The project will include burying approximately 46 miles of power lines, significantly reducing the risk of wildfire caused service interruptions. MEC’s website offers further details on this proposed plan which you can view here.

Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in 2025, with completion expected by 2028. This initiative is part of the broader Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is directing a $10.5 billion investment through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership program.

This isn’t the only improvement happening in Montana; several state airports are also set to receive funding for expansions and upgrades aimed at enhancing travel in and out of Montana.

Read More: Second Montana Airport Will See $10 Million for Growth 

With projects like these, Montana is making strides toward a more resilient future, ensuring critical infrastructure can withstand the challenges posed by natural events. These efforts reflect a growing commitment to building robust systems that serve communities now and for years to come.

Estimated Costs to Fight Montana's Biggest Wildfires Summer 2024

The data below comes from mtfireinfo.org and the Lolo National Forest Facebook page and will be updated regularly. The following information was updated 7/25/2024.

Gallery Credit: Ashley

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