Hiring seasonal firefighters has always been a challenge, but it may be even more difficult this year. Management from some of the agencies that handle wildland firefighting testified in at a legislature environmental quality council meeting in Helena on Wednesday.
Finding enough firefighters to staff seasonal Montana crews is difficult, compounded by experienced personnel transferring to other agencies offering higher pay.
The lawsuit contended that the law harmed the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s ability to negotiate lease terms with respect to water rights.