Lawmakers to Bring Fire Suppression Debate to Miles City

A legislative committee will meet in Miles City May 30 to discuss issues surrounding the state's wildfire suppression efforts. The public is invited to attend and will have an opportunity to comment.

The Fire Suppression Interim Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in Room 106 at Miles Community College. Public comment is scheduled for about 2:15 p.m. The meeting is set to end at 3:45 p.m. but will run longer if more time for public comment is needed.

The committee is especially interested in hearing public reaction to several draft documents it has produced in recent months. The documents, as well as an agenda, are available on the committee's Web site at www.leg.mt.gov/fire. Click on "Materials and Committee Recommendations to Review Prior to Participating in Public Hearings."

The committee has been traveling the state in an effort to get public feedback on its work. It has already met in Hamilton and Lewistown and plans to hold similar public hearings June 19-20 in Seeley Lake, Thompson Falls, and Libby.

Sens. Ken Hansen, D-Harlem, and Gerald Pease, D-Lodge Grass, will chair the Miles City meeting.

Other members of the Fire Suppression Interim Committee are Sens. John Cobb, R-Augusta; Rick Laible, R-Darby; Dave Lewis, R-Helena; and Carol Williams, D-Missoula; and Reps. Steve Bolstad, D-Great Falls; Jim Keane, D-Butte; Krayton Kerns, R-Laurel; Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek; Chas Vincent, R-Libby; and Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls.

For more information, contact Leanne Heisel, legislative research analyst and committee staffer, at 444-3593 or lheisel@mt.gov.