State to increase firefighter pay for 2022 fire season
Wages for Montanas firefighters will increase by $1.70 per hour starting with the 2022 fire season, the state announced Monday.
The bump in pay will bring the minimum base pay for seasonal firefighters to $15.50 per hour making Montana more competitive in recruiting and retaining firefighters, according to a press release from Gov. Greg Gianfortes office announcing the pay raise.
Montanas wildland firefighters are some of the most important and necessary personnel serving our state, especially with recent, more severe fire seasons, Gianforte said in the release. This well-deserved pay increase will help ensure our wildland firefighters remain the most skilled and mission capable firefighting workforce in the region.
Heavy drought throughout Montana led to the scorching of nearly 1 million acres by wildfires this summer, forcing the state to spend nearly $50 million on suppression efforts.
Read more: https://dailymontanan.com/briefs/state-to-increase-firefighter-pay-for-2022-fire-season/