Big Sky, Montana
The unincorporated mountain community of Big Sky is situated in southwestern Montana and next door to Yellowstone National Park. The area features abundant year-round outdoor recreational opportunities from skiing to kayaking, hiking, and fishing, and can see up to 15,000 visitors on any given day. Served by a single two-lane highway and with booming home development in wildfire-prone areas and high potential for large wildfires, Big Sky sought assistance from CPAW in 2018 to improve wildfire risk planning.
CPAW reviewed and provided guidance on Gallatin County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and Big Sky’s zoning regulations. CPAW also hosted a Building for Wildfire Summit in Big Sky in 2019. The event brought together builders, architects, and others in the construction industry to discuss best practices for building a home to wildfire-resistant standards. The summit featured presentations on the home ignition zone, vulnerable components of the home, and lessons learned from other mountain resort communities such as Jackson Hole, WY, and Vail, CO.
In 2022, CPAW assisted Big Sky Fire Department and Chamber of Commerce in developing evacuation resources and a communication strategy for wildfire emergencies. The project resulted in the publication of an evacuation booklet for all Big Sky homeowners, businesses, renters, and visitors.
CPAW assisted in the development, and is a member of, Fire Adapted Big Sky.
Snapshot
- 2018 CPAW Community
- Population: 2,800
- Growth Rate: 84.9% (2010-2022)
- Fuel Type: Timber-understory