PABLO, MT — Tribal firefighting crews have long served as a crucial force on wildfire frontlines, but changing federal priorities, tighter budgets and stricter qualifications have reshaped their operations.

For the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Division of Fire, these challenges persist as they navigate the future.

"I've been in fire since 1984...a long time," said Ron Swaney, a CSKT tribal member and fire management officer for the CSKT Division of Fire.

For Swaney, firefighting runs deeper than duty and he now holds a vital role.

"Being tribal managing your resources for your future generations puts more ownership in your approach," Swaney said.

Tribal firefighter discusses sovereignty's impact on wildfire response: Tribal firefighter discusses sovereignty's impact on

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