Beartooth Electric Cooperative > Education & Safety > Wildfire Prevention

Wildfire Prevention

Here you’ll find a helpful article on preparing for wildfire season, along with numerous local resources and information. Please scroll down to view all the content.

Preparing for Wildfire Season

Wildfire season is approaching, and its unpredictability can make you feel helpless. Being informed and prepared puts you back in control—even in a worst-case scenario.

What to expect:

  • Red Flag Warning: When weather conditions indicate risk is high for wildfire ignition and rapid spread, the National Weather Service will issue Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches. These conditions include warm temperatures, very low humidity, strong winds, drought and dry vegetation. Beartooth Electric may activate our wildfire-prevention procedure, which reduces fire risks but can result in more frequent and longer power interruptions.
  • Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS): Beartooth Electric collaborates with wildfire experts and emergency responders to determine when power shutdowns are needed for public safety. While shutting off power reduces the risk of sparks from tree branches hitting power lines, it is our last resort.
  • Communication: We do our best to notify our members of the possibility of a PSPS. We understand that losing power can create hardships and make receiving notifications more difficult. We will send updates about outages and power restoration via SmartHub text and email, Facebook and Instagram pages as well as the Beartooth Electric website and robo calls.

What to do during a wildfire:

  • Monitor: Tune into your local radio or TV station for wildfire updates and evacuation orders. Visit your local emergency sites and sign up to receive emergency alerts:
    • Beartooth Electric Cooperative   BEC’s Smarthub (or type in www.beartoothelectric.com and go to the Smarthub box to enter or register for Smarthub notifications) or download the NISC Smarthub app from Google Play or the App Store.
    • Carbon County, Montana   CarbonAlert (or type in www.carbonalert.org) or install the CodeRED Mobile Alert app, visit Google Play or the App Store.
  • Air quality: Ashes can drift for miles and deteriorate the air quality. Visit airnow.gov to check your local Air Quality Index. If the AQI is bad, close your air conditioner’s fresh air intake and seal all your doors and windows. Wear a KN95 mask if you must go outside. Run an air purifier if you have one, and change your HVAC filter once conditions have cleared.
  • Safety: Call Beartooth Electric (406-446-2310) and 911 if you see downed power lines and stay at least 100 feet away. Steer clear of any puddles or wet ground that is in contact with the line since water conducts electricity. Do not rely on social media to report outages, downed lines or unsafe conditions always call Beartooth Electric at 406-446-2310, 24/7.

Preventing wildfire spread

What we’re doing:

  • Fire-prevention procedures: Even in the absence of active wildfires, Beartooth Electric may adjust our outage response procedures during hot, dry and windy conditions. If outages occur, we will conduct manual inspections of our equipment before attempting to turn power back on. While this practice helps reduce fire risks, it may result in more frequent and longer power interruptions.
  • Vegetation management: Our field crews trim trees and clear debris near power lines and poles to create defensible spaces that limit wildfire spread. In addition during the summer months, BEC contracts with a tree trimming contractor to work throughout the season.
  • Using smart technology: Advanced metering infrastructure and remote shutoff capabilities empower us to proactively respond to threats and prevent wildfire spread in real time.

What you can do:

  • Outside your home: Create a defensible space by clearing plants, wood piles and other flammable material from the perimeter of your home. Trim foliage so it has 10 feet of clearance, and avoid parking on dry grass. Clear debris from your gutters and roof.
  • Inside your home: Choose fire-resistant building materials. Ensure smoke detectors are installed and operational, keep fire extinguishers near all heat sources and store gas cans away from your home. Use surge protectors or turn off your main breaker during a power outage. Keep up-to-date pictures of your home and insurance info on your phone.
  • Just in case: Keep basic supplies on hand in case you lose power and a backup power source if you rely on electric medical equipment. Keep your vehicle’s gas tank or your electric vehicle battery at least half full, map out at least two evacuation routes and have a bag packed with medications, important documents and cash.

During wildfire season, we all play a role in keeping our community safe. Make sure Beartooth Electric has your current contact information and be sure to sign up to BEC’s Smarthub for safety alerts. Call 406-446-2310. For more wildfire safety tips, visit ready.gov/wildfires.

State Wildfire Maps

Current Wildfires in Montana                Current Wildfires in Wyoming

Wildfire Preparedness

Beartooth Electric Wildfire Mitigation Plan

2025 Beartooth Electric Cooperative (BEC) Wildfire Mitigation Plan (PDF)