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Gov. Gianforte receives wildfire briefing

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Posted at 11:05 AM, Jul 22, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-22 13:05:33-04

HELENA — Governor Greg Gianforte Wednesday was briefed on Montana's fire situation.

There are 20 large wildfires burning across the state, including a blaze that's the number one priority right now in the nation.

The governor learned that since Jan. 1 there have been 1,500 fire starts in Montana – with 500 of those just this month.

Around 200,000 acres have burned with almost $9 million being spent on fire suppression since the start of the state's fiscal year, which was July 1.

The Alder Creek Fire burning in the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest is the top priority fire in the country due to the number of structures threatened.