BEC Wildfire Mitigation Plan – Public Meeting
2025 Beartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) Wildfire Mitigation Plan
PUBLIC NOTICE
BEARTOOTH ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN – PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD
Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BEC), pursuant to Montana House Bill 490 (HB 490) and Wyoming House Bill 0192 (HB 0192), has prepared a Wildfire Mitigation Plan to identify, manage, and reduce the risk of wildfires related to its electric transmission and distribution infrastructure.
BEC’s Board of Trustees, acting as the cooperative’s approval authority, invites members of the public, local governments, emergency services, tribal representatives, and all interested parties to participate in a 30-day public review and comment period, which will run from:
August 15, 2025, through September 15, 2025.
The purpose of this review period is to ensure transparency, encourage public input, and provide an opportunity for stakeholders to offer feedback prior to formal approval of the plan. The Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes:
– Areas at elevated wildfire risk
– Electric system inspection and maintenance strategies
– Vegetation management practices
– Facility upgrades and operational measures to prevent fire ignition
– Public safety protocols and de-energization strategies
– Community outreach plans
A public community meeting is scheduled to take place on August 26, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Beartooth Electric Cooperative office located in Red Lodge, with the option to attend via Zoom. Complete details, including the Zoom access information, are available on our official website at www.beartoothelectric.com under the Events section, and will be published in local newspapers.
How to Review the Plan:
The draft plan will be available online at www.beartoothelectric.com/ and in printed form at the BEC Office:
Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc.
1306 N Broadway Ave, Red Lodge, MT 59068
How to Submit Comments:
Written comments may be submitted:
– By email to: bec@beartoothelectric.com, Please label Subject: Wildfire Plan Comments
– By mail to:
Wildfire Plan Comments
Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc.
PO Box 1110, Red Lodge, MT 59068
All comments must be received by 5:00 PM on September 15, 2025.
For questions or additional information, please contact BEC at (406) 446-2310.