As spring unfolds in Montana, the transition from snowmelt to vibrant bloom will inevitably be marred by an unwelcome guest: wildfire smoke. The onset of smoke-filled skies arrives earlier each year, casting a shadow over our pristine landscapes.
Wildfires are not just natural disasters but also significant contributors to air pollution. Over the past two decades, poor air quality days have increased, largely due to the escalating frequency of catastrophic wildfires.
To safeguard our air quality, it’s vital we address the wildfire crisis. Forest restoration tools that help manage forest density, decrease fuel loads, and restore natural fire regimes are crucial in mitigating out-of-control wildfires. Controlled burning is a proven method for restoring forest health, helping forest resiliency by reducing combustible forest materials before catastrophic fires. Concerning air quality, smoke from prescribed fires is preferable to wildfire smoke because its quality and timing can be controlled. Prescribed burns are conducted under planned, predictable conditions, allowing for additional measures to minimize exposure to nearby populations.
However, bureaucratic hurdles, a lack of resources, and stringent pollution standards obstruct beneficial efforts. As described in the Property and Environment Research Center’s report Burn Back Better, if we are to mitigate the threat posed by wildfire smoke, we must dismantle barriers and ramp up prescribed burning.
