By Jessianne CastleEBS ENVIRONMENTAL & OUTDOORS EDITOR
BIG SKY – Sixty-four percent of homes in
Montana are tucked among trees and sage, within an area known as the
wildland-urban interface. This region, recognized as a land-use type by federal
agencies, county officials and the fire department, is defined as an area where
homes and flammable vegetation meet. Approximately 90 percent of homes in Big
Sky exist within this category.
Currently, there are about 4,200 homes in Big Sky and 90 percent of them are within this wildland-urban interface, according to Big Sky Deputy Fire Chief Dustin Tetrault. He added that an estimated 2,000 more homes are expected to pop up throughout the mountain town’s forest over the next 10 years.
Facing such growth projections and aware
of the warming climate that is making the fire season longer and more intense,
the Big Sky Fire Department partnered with Bozeman’s Headwaters Economics on
Sept. 18 to host a Building for Wildfire Summit at Buck’s T-4 Lodge.
Approximately 100 of the area’s architects, builders, county government officials, fire personal, private business owners and residents piled into the conference room. Research engineer Daniel Gorham with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety shared the latest science in fire-resistant building materials, while physical scientist Jack Cohen, now retired from the U.S. Forest Service, discussed wildfire behavior.
“Wildland-urban fire disasters are a home
ignition problem not a wildfire problem,” Cohen said. “There are things that we
can do that are easy.”
Kathy Clay, Battalion Chief Fire Marshal
in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Vail, Colorado’s Wildland Program Manager Paul
Cada shared experiences within their own mountain communities in order to
explore best practices and potential solutions to create a fire-resilient
community.
The speakers’ recommendations were clear:
build homes using fire-resistant designs and materials, minimize flammable
items around the exterior of a home, and participate in community-wide wildfire
risk reduction ethics.
Please join us for our winter kick off and holiday celebration! We will have some hors d'oeuvres, drinks (for kids and adults), plus a drawing for a few gifts you
Event Details
Please join us for our winter kick off and holiday celebration! We will have some hors d’oeuvres, drinks (for kids and adults), plus a drawing for a few gifts you could receive including a one month of unlimited yoga classes. We will also be having a Trunk Show with some local vendors to help you get a jump on your holiday shopping. Come check it out, bring your family and friends, all are welcome!
The Arts Council of Big Sky is excited to present the first annual Big Sky Open Studio Tour, taking place on December 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at
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Event Details
The Arts Council of Big Sky is excited to present the first annual Big Sky Open Studio Tour, taking place on December 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at various locations throughout the community. This FREE self-guided studio tour will allow you to meet and mingle with 14 of Big Sky’s best artists.
To take the tour, visit http://bigskyarts.org/2019/10/23/big-sky-studio-tour/ to download and print the tour guide and punch card. Printed tour guides and can also be picked up at Tart and Melanie Turner Designs in the Big Sky Town Center or The Trove West in the Meadow Village Center. Once you have the guide, you’ll be able to hit the road and look for the studio tour signs around the community.
At each stop, you can explore the artist’s studio space, learn more about their creative process, enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, and view new artwork. Artwork will also be available for purchase so you can check off your holiday gift list while directly supporting our local artists. Visit all 13 artists, collect their custom stamps on your punch card, and you will be entered to win original artwork by Donna LaHue, Michelle Kristula-Green, and Craig Krzycki.
Participating artists include Georgia Baker, Silly Tilly, Michelle Kristula Green, Dave Pecunies, Kira Fercho, Ryan Turner, Julie Gustafson, Sue Linsey, Heather Rapp, Craig Kyzycki, Donna LaHue, Maggie Shane, Lorri Lagerbloom, and Carly Jo Huge. The event is sponsored by Tart Boutique, Erika and Co., Melanie Turner Home and the Trove West.
For more information please call 995-2742 or visit bigskyarts.org.
Please join us for the fourth annual Holiday Home Tour!
Tour three beautiful Big Sky homes for architectural and holiday décor inspiration while enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres, entree, dessert
Event Details
Please join us for the fourth annual Holiday Home Tour!
Tour three beautiful Big Sky homes for architectural and holiday décor inspiration while enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres, entree, dessert in a progressive dinner format.
Transportation is available to each home on a first come, first served basis.
For bus reservations please call (406) 993-2008 or email marie@bigskydiscoveryacademy.org
This is a fundraising event that supports Discovery Academy, a 501c(3) Nonprofit in Big Sky, Montana.
Join me for a fun night of painting and delicious brews!
Beehive Basin Brewery
245 Towncenter Ave
Big Sky, MT 59716
Monday, December 9th
5:30-8:00pm
$30
No experience required!
All materials included.
Light snacks provided.
A limit of 3 beers/person
Event Details
Join me for a fun night of painting and delicious brews!
Beehive Basin Brewery
245 Towncenter Ave
Big Sky, MT 59716
Monday, December 9th
5:30-8:00pm
$30
No experience required!
All materials included.
Light snacks provided.
A limit of 3 beers/person (per Montana brewery laws) are available but not included.
Only 10 easels available!
When choosing shipping at checkout, select Easel Reservation for free shipping.
Ignite your creativity and bring home your own Winter inspired masterpiece!