State of Montana Issues Executive Order Proclaiming an Emergency Exists due to Wildfires

STATE OF MONTANA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10-2015 
EXECUTIVE ORDER PROCLAIMING AN EMERGENCY TO EXIST IN THE STATE OF MONTANA 

WHEREAS, wildfires are actively burning and extreme fire danger exists across the State of Montana, including Lincoln, Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell, Butte-Silver Bow, Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Broadwater, Jefferson, Meagher, Lewis and Clark, Teton, Pondera, Glacier, Cascade, Choteau, Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Powder River, Carter, Fallon, and Garfield Counties; 

WHEREAS, current and forecasted weather as well as current and projected vegetative fuel conditions present a high risk of new fire ignitions and rapid growth of existing fires, creating an imminent threat of a disaster, which timely actions can avert or minimize; 

WHEREAS, firefighting resources in the state, geographic region, and across the Western United States have reached critical shortage levels; 

WHEREAS, these critical shortages have already necessitated the deployment of international firefighting resources to the State of Montana to assist in fire suppression; and, 

WHEREAS, under these conditions, pursuant to Sections 10-3-302, 10-3-311, and 10-3312, Mont. Code Ann., the Governor may mobilize state resources and the Montana National Guard to protect life, health, and property and may expend funds to meet contingencies and needs that may arise from the emergency. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE BULLOCK, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under the Constitution and the laws of the State of Montana, do hereby declare that an emergency exists within the State of Montana, as defined in Mont. Code Ann. 10-3-103(7). 

This Order is effective immediately.

GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana this 15th day of August, 2015. 

Signed,

STEVE BULLOCK, Governor 

ATTEST: 
LINDA MCCULLOCH, Secretary of State