Ravalli County is one of the most wildfire-exposed regions in the United States, according to data reported by Missoulian.
The USDA Forest Service’s Wildfire Risks to Communities platform shows that 99% of the Bitterroot Valley is at high risk of wildfire exposure.
Fire Street, a climate data group, has projected that over the next 30 years, more than 34,000 residential properties in the county will face some level of wildfire threat, with many at severe risk.
A 2020 study by Headwaters Economics found Ravalli County constructed more single-family homes in wildfire hazard zones than any other Montana county between 1990 and 2016.
The Bitterroot National Forest’s proximity to residential land complicates firefighting, according to Bitterroot National Forest District Ranger Steve Brown.
Brown said: “We’re on pins and needles all summer long. So much of the forest is at a close proximity to private lands and structures.
“Unless it’s a fire that starts way back in the wilderness or something, it’s one of those things where pretty quick it’s gonna be in an area where it could be impacting private land.”
The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) in Ravalli County is classified as high risk due to development in forested terrain, Missoulian reported.
Headwaters Economics Wildfire Policy Analyst Kimiko Barret said: “We have a lot of fuels built up in the wildlands and the forest and this is largely due to successful suppression efforts over a 100 years plus.
“That’s terrific in terms of home protection, but the downside to that is that you’re excluding fire from the landscape and in doing so we generated what is called the wildfire paradox; in that by suppressing a fire today by containing and extinguishing, you are effectively punting that risk down the road.”
According to Barret, fire is necessary for ecological function in fire-adapted regions like Montana, and excluding it can intensify long-term threats.
She added: “If what we are defining as the wildfire crisis is homes burning, then homes must intentionally be part of the solution.
“That means thinking very thoughtfully and strategically about under what conditions homes are built in high risk locations.”
According to Missoulian, adaptation is a core strategy promoted by Fire in the Root, a local wildfire preparedness hub.
Fire in the Root Co-Chair Ella Langer said: “As long as we have forests, we’re going to have fire.
“As we continue to grow and build we’re going to live alongside wildfire and be resilient to it because at the end of the day, changing how we’re living instead of changing the landscapes is gonna give us a lot more longevity and cost us a lot less in the long run.”
The organization teaches home mitigation practices including use of the “home ignition zone” model, which recommends managing the 100 feet surrounding a property to reduce risk.
This approach, developed by former U.S. Forest Service researcher Jack Cohen, focuses on removing fuels near homes to improve survivability during fire events.
According to Langer, these measures are particularly urgent due to the valley’s topography, elderly population, and recurring air quality issues from smoke.
Homeowners in Ravalli County are experiencing rising insurance costs driven by wildfire exposure, Missoulian reported.
Fire in the Root Co-Chair Judy Anderson said: “We’re talking about people losing their insurance because of fire dangers.
“We do free home assessments where we go out at somebody’s invitation and we walk around the outside of their home and point out vulnerabilities they might not be aware of and things they can do to help their homes defend themselves.”
A Headwaters Economics article found that U.S. insurance rates increased 13% from 2020 to 2023, with Montana experiencing the fifth-fastest rate increase nationally in 2024.
To respond to the lack of transparency in insurance data, Montana adopted House Joint Resolution 61 in May 2025 to study factors driving premiums, including wildfire risk and rising home values.
According to a letter from the Consumer Federation of America in support of the resolution: “Despite this crisis, there is relatively little data available about Montana’s homeowners insurance market.
“The insurance industry makes very little data available; the data that is available is aggregated at the state level, captures only a few elements, and is years out of date by the time it is released.”
Climate forecasts and past weather patterns have raised concerns about the upcoming wildfire season in Montana.
On June 2, Predictive Services Meteorologist Dan Borsum briefed state officials, including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, comparing current conditions to severe wildfire years like 2021.
Borsum said: “The stage looks to be set for it to be more challenging this year.”
According to Missoulian, the National Weather Service has predicted above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall for June and July in Montana.
Brown said: “It’s the rain that we get in June that makes the biggest difference.
“It all comes down to the weather and if we get the storms and it’s dry then we’ll get fires.
“And we’ll deal with them like we always have.”
Ravalli County is one of the highest wildfire risk regions in the United States, according to data from the USDA Forest Service.
Fire Street projected that over 34,000 homes in the county will face wildfire exposure in the next 30 years.
A Headwaters Economics report found that 7,000 homes were built in high-risk zones between 1990 and 2016.
The Bitterroot Valley’s proximity to forested land creates added firefighting challenges, officials reported.
The region’s WUI areas encompass nearly the entire county, increasing vulnerability to fires.
Fire suppression efforts have contributed to fuel buildup, creating a wildfire paradox, experts explained.
Home mitigation measures are encouraged by local organizations like Fire in the Root.
Insurance costs have increased due to wildfire exposure and broader climate impacts.
Montana adopted House Joint Resolution 61 to study statewide insurance rate increases.
The Consumer Federation of America reported limited transparency in Montana’s insurance market data.
Meteorologists have forecast a dry and hot summer in 2025, heightening wildfire concerns.
Ravalli County lost up to 16 inches of moisture over the past three years.
Firefighters say seasonal outcomes will depend on June rainfall levels.
