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Missoula County adopts emergency proclamation to streamline wildland-fire response
Summary
The board approved an emergency proclamation granting immediate authorities during wildland-fire season — including access to the county emergency operations plan and extension of certain authorities to the fire chief and Office of Emergency Management — to avoid delays if the chair must be reached to declare an emergency.
County staff asked the board to adopt an emergency proclamation to prepare for very high and potentially extreme fire danger this season. An agency official explained that the proclamation gives the emergency manager and fire chief authorities needed for evacuations, emergency road closures and access to the emergency operations plan. "Under Montana Code Annotated, the person who can declare a state of emergency or disaster... is the chair," the official said, noting that a standing proclamation avoids delays that could occur while trying to contact the chair during a fast-moving incident.
Staff described that the proclamation would extend certain authorities automatically to the fire chief and the Office of Emergency Management so those officials can act promptly on closures and evacuations when on scene, rather than waiting for a separate chair declaration. Commissioners approved the proclamation by voice vote; the transcript records support ('Aye') but does not include a detailed roll-call tally. Staff also reminded residents to sign up for Smart911 for emergency notifications.
