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Butte-Silver Bow health department presents 2025 'Smoke Ready Butte' wildfire smoke outreach updates
Summary
Health department staff told the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners about new local data, supply programs and partnerships meant to reduce harm from wildfire smoke, including a loaner air purifier program, expanded monitoring and pilot 'clean indoor air' sites.
Jenny Ellis, the FEP coordinator at the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, and Jackie Thompson, a registered sanitarian, presented updates to the county's wildfire smoke response plan — branded "Smoke Ready Butte" — to the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners.
The presentation summarized new national and local data, described ongoing and pilot programs to reduce smoke exposure, and outlined outreach plans targeted at vulnerable groups. The county health department said the plan, originally developed in 2021 with EPA collaboration, has been updated with recent fire and air-quality data and program results.
Ellis said national wildfire acreage data from the National Interagency Fire Center covering 1983–2024 show an upward trend and noted the Northwest region (including Montana) recorded the most acres burned in 2024. She also presented local air-quality trends based on the county's single EPA monitor at the old Greeley School, saying annual average "unhealthy air" days…
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