Wildfire defensible space · Montana

Missoula County Wildfire Ready Cost-Share Program

Run by Missoula County Office of Emergency Management with United Way of Missoula County

Status not postedPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
County pays up to 75% of eligible project costs, capped at $1,900 per acre. If the estimate is under $2,500 per acre the grant covers 75%; over $2,500 per acre the grant pays up to $1,900 per acre and the owner pays the rest.
Who qualifies
Private landowners in Missoula County with a property assessed by the county Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. Detailed eligibility criteria not published on the page.
Where
Private landowners in Missoula County with a property assessed by the county Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.
Status
Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Have defensible space created or improved around your home and outbuildings (and clear hazardous vegetation along driveways and access routes) by an approved forestry contractor, following a county treatment plan.

Requirements

  • Free risk assessment and customized treatment plan by a County Wildfire Mitigation Specialist first
  • Must hire a contractor from the approved forestry contractor list; DIY work cannot be reimbursed (owner may do some parts of the plan to lower cost)
  • Owner signs a separate contract with the contractor; county signs its own contract with the contractor
  • Project must be completed within one year of start, including cutting and disposal (chipping, hauling off-site, or slash pile burning)
  • Not eligible: tree removal needing ropes or aerial lifts, stump grinding or removal, prescribed burning
  • Work inspected by county specialist before payment

The plan or design it asks for

County-written treatment plan from the free home assessment; contractor estimates are based on it.

Native plant lists for the area: Missoula

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check Missoula County's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Request a free risk assessment via the county Schedule a Home Assessment form (or call 406-880-8090)
  2. 2Specialist visits and writes a treatment plan
  3. 3Get estimates and bids from approved forestry contractors
  4. 4Approve estimate and plan; sign contracts (county-contractor and you-contractor)
  5. 5Contractor completes work; county specialist inspects
  6. 6County pays its share directly to the contractor

Timing and deadlines

Project must finish within one year of start; payment after inspection.

not published

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs