Big Fire Lessons Learned in the Bitterroot Valley

What can communities and land managers learn from the aftermath of a major wildfire? Drawing on interviews with 23 people representing public agencies, local government, conservation organizations, industry, and other interests, this report examines responses to the Bitterroot Valley’s fires of 2000. It considers fire prevention, hazardous fuels reduction, ecosystem restoration, and community assistance within the framework of the National Fire Plan and its accompanying ten-year strategy. The lessons emphasize public communication, collaboration, local contracting capacity, and the practical challenges of helping forests and communities recover.