06/09/2026
Landowners in eastern Montana are making history by forming one of Montanaโs first landowner-driven Prescribed Burn Associations, or PBA.
PBAs are local, member-based groups that aim to make prescribed burning more accessible for private landowners. PBAs often host trainings for landowners, secure funding through grants, purchase shared equipment, and apply a neighbors-helping-neighbors approach to putting good fire on the ground. While PBAs exist in many other states, the Yellowstone Country PBA will be eastern Montanaโs first.
During the last few months, landowners from Custer, Garfield, Powder River, and Rosebud counties have made significant progress to get started. With facilitation support from MSU Extension, the group has drafted bylaws and is currently awaiting nonprofit status from the State of Montana. Once approved, the PBA will conduct a membership drive to invite more eastern Montana landowners into the group.
โWe see thereโs a need for prescribed fire support for landowners, and a PBA will have value in eastern Montana,โ said Erik Peterson, a member of the Formation Committee Board who has been utilizing fire on his property in Custer County for 20 years. โEveryone involved has been very ambitious, so the skyโs the limit.โ
DNRC and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders have provided support by coordinating resources, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and assisting with project implementation.
๐ธ Photo courtesy of Ella Langer, Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator for the Hamilton Unit, from the 2025 Blackfoot TREX
