Custer County adopts resolution to initiate Title III-funded study of wildfire evacuation routes

The Custer County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 30 adopted Resolution 25‑37 to initiate a project to study wildfire evacuation routes and related planning using funds from Title III of the Secure Rural Schools program.

Supporters said the study would give the sheriff actionable evacuation modeling and scenario data; opponents questioned whether the expenditure fits Title III’s allowable uses and whether the county should first update its community wildfire protection plan (CWPP).

The resolution, described at the meeting as initiating a project to study evacuation routes in conjunction with potential wildfires affecting U.S. Forest Service land and to use Title III funds allocated under the federal Secure Rural Schools program, was presented for a vote after public comment and staff discussion. After debate, commissioners called the question and the resolution passed by voice vote; no nays or abstentions were recorded.

County Attorney Dan Slater said the Title III funding language is broad and, in his reading, would allow projects that assist in developing or carrying out a community wildfire…