News Releases
For Immediate Release - August 17, 2000
Contact: Mary Jo Fox / Anastasia Burton
(406) 444-3111
(Helena)-- Governor Marc Racicot declared Montana in a state of disaster Wednesday. Racicot's latest declaration allows more time flexibility than the emergency status he announced in late July.
The latest declaration was essential to carry forward the state's fire fighting efforts since the previous emergency declaration had expired. The emergency declaration issued July 27 was a 20 day order, while Wednesday's declaration of disaster is a 30-day order that can be extended.
The state has access to the same fire fighting resources as it did earlier, assuring that there will be no letup in fire suppression efforts.
"This executive order declaring a disaster was necessary to allow state resources, including the National Guard, to remain activated and available for fire suppression," said Mary Jo Fox, communications director for the Governor's Office.
Racicot's disaster declaration is identical to the earlier declaration of emergency, allowing him to tap state firefighting resources, mobilize the Montana National Guard and spend state treasury money where necessary, including to pay for food and lodging for guard and state employees responding to the disaster.
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