In 2016, it was the Roaring Lion Fire south of Hamilton. Last year, the Lolo Peak Fire crept along the Bitterroot Mountains near Lolo. Homes were lost in both fires. Other homes made it through the blazes.

When forest fires loom near your home, it's usually too late to properly prepare for defense of your property. The North Valley Public Library is bringing Dr. Jack Cohen, formerly with the U.S. Forest Service Fire Lab, to Stevensville Thursday, April 12, for a talk on making your home defensible.

The 6 p.m. talk will give you tips about protecting your possessions and how you can make your home safer in case of a wildfire. Cohen is a renowned fire scientist and will discuss his findings and recommendations and answer questions from the audience.

The library partnered with MELT (Montana Elders for a Livable Tomorrow) and MOLLI (Montana Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) and area firefighters to bring this program to Stevensville.

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