Lawmakers Bringing Fire Suppression Debate to Lewistown

A legislative committee will meet in Lewistown May 16 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 11 a.m. in the Sapphire Room of the Yogo Inn, 211 E. Main. Public comment is scheduled for about 2 p.m. The meeting is set to end at 3:30 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."

"We want to invite people to come in and share their ideas and opinions with us and to review our efforts so far, to be our sounding board," said Rep. Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls, who will chair the meeting.

The committee plans to hold similar public hearings in other communities, including Miles City (May 30) and Seeley Lake, Thompson Falls, and Libby (June 19-20).

Members of the Fire Suppression Interim Committee in addition to Rep. Wilson are Sens. John Cobb, R-Augusta; Kim Hansen, D-Harlem; Rick Laible, R-Darby; Dave Lewis, R-Helena; Gerald Pease, D-Lodge Grass; 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; and Chas Vincent, R-Libby.

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