Flathead Electric Cooperative puts wildfire mitigation plan to the public

A new state law is sparking a change at Flathead Electric Cooperative and other utilities, affecting how the organizations prepare for catastrophic wildfire.

The co-op, which services about 3,000 square miles in Northwest Montana, recently revamped its wildfire mitigation plan to adhere to new standards passed by the state Legislature earlier this year.

Introduced by Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, House Bill 490 required utilities to prepare and follow a wildfire mitigation plan detailing the company’s strategies for inspecting and updating electric facilities and maintaining vegetation in utility rights-of-way. Utilities that “substantially follow” a state-approved wildfire mitigation plan may not be civilly liable for damages resulting from a wildfire.

The bill received bipartisan supp