Welcome to Rocky Mountain Fire Company. Please contact us at info@rmfc-usa.com or call at 406-239-2484 to arrange verification of personnel qualifications or inquire about our wildland fire training program.

Our new headquarters. We are now located at 3011 American Way Missoula, MT 59808. We plan to move our training program into this excellent location in 2013.

May 11. Updated our 2012  training  schedule. Rick Grady of Helena and Curt McChesney of Hamilton has joined our training program for 2012. We are pleased to have these  highly qualified instructors available to teach the wildland fire courses. Our training program for 2012 has been posted. If you have special needs, please contact us.

NOTICE! Contractor- Forest Service and BLM meeting set for may 23. Contact FS Contractor Liaison Tim Murphy for details.

National Weather Service: The 2011 Northern Rockies fire season appears to have been followed by another la Nina winter. However, the Arctic Oscillation has had a profound effect in modification of La Nina over Montana this past winter. Eastern Montana is dry. The drought in the Southwest continues. Of special note: California has experienced a rather dry winter. the Sierra snow pack is significantly below normal.  Currently the snow pack is about normal across Western Montana.  What can we expect for 2012?

UPDATE: La Nina has given away to developing El Nino . Forecast is for lower temps and lower moisture in the northern rock mts for May, June and July. We are still holding out for a dry spring and an aggressive august fire season.  Whats your best guess?

Personnel- Some companies are reporting Engine bosses and experienced firefighters are in short supply. This is being made up with new persons going through FFT2 training. There are some returning Vets , recently discharged, looking for work. We do not charge Vets to go through FFT2 training. Those who have completed training did so in an outstanding mannerWe have also been contacted by a few  Seasonal Federal firefighters who were not hired back this year.

Fire Dispatch Modification. The Southwest Region has issued a revised dispatch protocol for dispatching equipment to Forest Service fires – extended attack. The new dispatch priority is as follow:

1. Forest Service

2. State

3. Forest Service Best Value Contract

4. Local government and State Contract

An inquiry was made to the Northern Region, “why don’t you adopt the same policy for the same reasons expressed by the Region 3 Regional Forester?” They have  yet to issue a formal reply. Rather than face the issue, the Forest Service seems to be hiding behind the State, The Montana State Associations for Fire Chiefs and the Fire Wardens, and as we have been told the Unions who represent LGFF firefighters. So Local Government engines, paid for by local taxpayers to protect local homes and lives are hired through State contracts; and pulled from their districts; and sent to Forest Service fires both within and out side of the Northern Rockies while Forest Service contracted engines  sit idle.

WO Forest Service reported budget reductions may be 7% in 2012 an additional 5% for each of 2013 and 2014.  It would seem that the R-1 Best value contract engine force would be of highest value to the Forest Service as there is but a small associated cost to the government to obtain the services of these 200 or so engines.

We continue to push this special note: Sonny Stieger  reported on fire behavior associated with a mid season fire burning in  the bug kill near Helena. If you have not read this we urge you to do so. The 2010 fire near Stemple Pass  burned late in August, under the influence of a dry cold front with high wind and low humidity.  This fire spotted from a burn and ran to 3,000 acres in short order. This is another example of what we can look forward to when faced with fires burning in these fuel models. Its a real heads up deal. Don’t be fooled by “no needles”. Snags and surface fires with significant flame lengths will be in order. When green standing trees and wind are in the mix, expect extreme energy release.

Don’t plan on going to Texas! But if you do go: photo releases indicats that PPE and fire shelters may not be  standard equipment for all Local Government FD personnel. One 2011 incident resulted in 60% burns for a firefighter trying to out run a fire after vehicle stalled. A fire shelter may have saved the day. So heads up! wear your PPE as always and make sure LCES is in place before engaging.

Crew experience. There appear to be a significant shift in available trained firefighters do to available work in North Dakota.  Early response to training courses indicate that our crews will be less experienced than past years. This a watch out situation for engines bosses.

Air tankers and Helicopters. Looks like there will be 10 or so large tankers for 2012.  Forest Service has reduced type 1 helicopters from 34 to 30 for 2012.  The VLAT DC-10 should be available. Sources report that the  VLAT 747 will not be available as the cost is 25 million for an exclusive use contract. Private air tanker contractors are  looking at a number of different aircraft.

News Note for Contractors. Northern Region 2012 Best Value Water handling Equipment roll over has been completed. zone dispatch priority list has been posted at the NRCG website. We expect to see the GAC post in June.

Our Blog Policy. Let us know how you are doing. We do read all responses (except the pornos). But, we do not post or reply. We will respond to your direct e-mail to info@rmfc-usa.com