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The House has approved a proposal to eliminate $700 million in already-approved funding for public media. If enacted, it would strip essential services and could force rural stations off the air. The Senate will take up the bill next.

Montana firefighters to join battle against Canadian wildfires

A firefighter sprays water from a fire hose onto smoldering grass as smoke rises up.
iStock
File photo: A firefighter sprays water on a smoldering fire.

Montana firefighters will join others from around the U.S. in helping Canadian fire crews battle 100 active fires in Alberta.

The National Interagency Coordination Center is sending more firefighting resources to assist Canadian crews that have been fighting active and out-of-control wildfires for weeks.

The coordination center fulfilled Canada’s first request for support last week, including two Montana hotshot crews.

It’s now sending 85 firefighters and incident managers, some from Montana, as well as more firefighting equipment. There are over 600 U.S. personnel and firefighting resources now assigned to fires in Alberta.

Smoke from the fires has blanketed most of Montana and North Dakota. Many communities have experienced unhealthy levels of smoke, but some have reached hazardous air quality.

Aaron joined the MTPR team in 2019. He reports on all things in northwest Montana and statewide health care.

aaron@mtpr.org or call/text at 612-799-1269
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