Understanding Fire Hazard Prioritization in Flathead County

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Northwest RC&D and Flathead County, Montana

GCS recently completed a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the Northwest Regional Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (NW RC&D) and Flathead County, Montana. Covering over 5,000 square miles, Flathead County is the second-largest county in Montana and has a rapidly growing population. The completion of this CWPP allows the county to meet federal requirements, making it eligible to secure funding for wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Key Goals of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan:

1. Community-based involvement in identifying at-risk areas.
2. Collaboration with local fire district chiefs, responsible for fire protection in their communities.
3. Stakeholder engagement and information exchange to support the planning process, facilitated through a dedicated Steering Committee.
4. Utilization of GIS technology for data aggregation, analysis, and community engagement.
5. Leveraging the best available GIS data for accurate and actionable insights.
6. Promotion of existing fire prevention programs, including FIREWISE.

Comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan

GCS was contracted to assist the Steering Committee in developing a comprehensive fuel reduction and mitigation plan. The focus was placed on:

• Defining at-risk priority areas through community involvement.
• Engaging local fire chiefs from across the county to identify high-risk areas.
• Public involvement through meetings and outreach, collecting valuable community feedback.
• Digitizing priority areas into GIS format and making them accessible through the Flathead County GIS Department’s interactive internet map server.

Community Engagement & Public Outreach

To ensure community involvement, GCS hosted 10 public meetings throughout the planning process, gathering input from residents and local leaders. Local fire chiefs were asked to review fire hazard priority areas and provide feedback. Fire districts were given materials, including fire district maps and markers, to outline their concerns. This collaborative effort improved the accuracy of the plan and built consensus for county-wide wildfire prevention.

The Flathead County GIS Department’s interactive map server now hosts these digitized priority areas, allowing users to view and analyze data such as parcels, fire district boundaries, and high-resolution imagery.

Advanced Analysis with High-Resolution Imagery

GCS partnered with Digital Globe and the Native Communities Development Corporation (NCDC) to provide fine-scale analysis of high-priority areas. Using QuickBird satellite imagery and advanced remote sensing techniques, they benchmarked hazards and assets in the county’s most at-risk areas.

By leveraging GIS technology, local collaboration, and advanced satellite imagery, GCS helped Flathead County create a robust, actionable CWPP, positioning the community to effectively mitigate wildfire risks and secure funding for future wildfire prevention projects.

About Flathead County, Montana: A Rapidly Growing Hub of Recreation and Natural Beauty

Flathead County, located in Northwest Montana, covers an expansive 3,262,720 acres or 5,098 square miles. Approximately 94% of the land is comprised of National Forests, State Forests, Wilderness areas, Agricultural lands, and Corporate Timber Land, leaving just 6% available for development.

Natural Attractions and Recreation

A short distance from developed areas lies some of Montana’s most iconic destinations, including Glacier National Park, numerous designated hiking areas, Flathead Lake, the Hungry Horse Reservoir, and two renowned ski resorts. The county also boasts 8 golf courses, offering a range of recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. These natural attractions, combined with the area’s scenic beauty, make Flathead County a prime location for tourism and one of the fastest-growing counties in Montana.

Population Growth and Development

Flathead County is the third most populated county in Montana, with an estimated 2010 population of 90,928—a significant increase from 74,471 in 2000. This 22.1% population growth reflects the influx of retirees and middle-aged professionals, who now outnumber native residents.

The county has three incorporated cities:

• Kalispell (the largest city) with a population of 19,927.
• Whitefish, home to 6,357 residents.
• Columbia Falls, with a population of 4,688.

Additionally, several small communities within Flathead County, known as Census Designated Places (CDPs), continue to grow and contribute to the area’s housing and population data.