Commissioners adopt resolution of intent to alter Eureka Fire Service Area boundaries; two public hearings set

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution of intent to alter the boundaries of the Eureka Fire Service Area and set two public hearings to receive input from affected property owners.

The board read Resolution 2025-27, which cites Montana Code Annotated 7-33-2401 to authorize establishment, alteration and dissolution of fire service areas and explains the requirement to hold a public hearing no sooner than 30 days and no later than 90 days after adoption. The resolution schedules hearings for Aug. 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. and Sept. 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., both at the North Lincoln County Annex on Highway 37 in Eureka, and explains protest rules (written protests from owners of more than 50% of properties in the proposed area would void the alteration).

A representative from the Eureka-area fire department speaking online told commissioners the change addresses recent development and many homeowners do not realize they lack service; the representative said most property owners contacted favor inclusion to ensure they are protected. "A lot of these areas did not have any development in it years ago ... but now we do have residential properties on there and a lot of the homeowners don't know that they are not protected," the representative said.

Commissioners discussed that the effort is largely a boundary cleanup following development and passed the resolution of intent. Two hearings will provide the formal opportunity for oral and written comment; the board will not finalize boundary changes for at least 30 days and may be prevented from adopting changes if statutory protest thresholds are met.