Missoula presenters urge homeowners to 'harden' houses against embers; county offers fuel‑mitigation cost share and free assessments

Missoula County Office of Emergency Management staff and local partners urged homeowners to focus on small, practical changes close to the house to reduce the risk of ember-driven loss in a wildfire.

"A home ignition zone or H I Z ... explains 3 different zones," said Olivia Anderson, Missoula County Office of Emergency Management, introducing the framework the county uses to prioritize actions from 0–5 feet out to the extended property. Anderson said about "90% of homes are lost from a wildfire due to embers," stressing that embers, radiant heat and direct flame contact all pose distinct risks.

Why it matters: Presenters said research from the Missoula Fire Lab and other national labs shows that embers can ignite small combustible features near a home—mulch, porch materials or accumulated debris—and that modest changes to landscaping and building details can markedly improve survivability. Amy Solenberg, executive director of Climate Smart Missoula, framed the session as part of Wildfire Awareness Month and pointed attendees to montanawildfiresmoke.org for smoke- preparedness materials.

Practical home-hardening steps

Olivia Anderson walked the audience through the three zones and specific recommendations she said reduce risk most efficiently.

- Immediate zone (0–5 feet): Keep combustible materials away from siding and doorways; replace wood mulch with rock or gravel; maintain…