Montana has a new tool to help fight wildfires, and state managers say it will help with quicker, safer responses.

The state's Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is implementing a new aerial supervision program, which will include a single-engine plane that can stay in the air for long periods of time. It's designed to strengthen communication between planes fighting fires from above and crews on the ground.

The Fire Protection Bureau's Aviation Program Manager Jay Lindgren said the biggest bonus is that state managers no longer have to rely on federal support.

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"Us having a platform that is under operational control of the state of Montana, we can assess those threats and position it where it most benefits the state of Montana," Lindgren said.

Lindgren said federal resources have been diverted to large fires in Utah and Colorado, leaving Montana with limited support. There are also concerns at the federal level about budget cuts and plans to reorganize the U.S. Forest Service. The Trump administration wants to cut the agency's budget by 65% in fiscal year 2027.

Randy Okon, lead air attack with the Fire Protection Bureau, said this new program has already been put to use this summer, pointing to a fire over the July 4 weekend in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Okon said because the plane was staffed and ready, crews were able to get a good jump on firefighting efforts.

"Allowed a really quick response and a coordinated effort with the air tankers coming in and the local volunteer firefighters and wildland resources that were responding allowed us to get over scene quickly and coordinate that effort, which was impactful due to the fire moving towards structures," Okon said.

Forecasters say Montana's weak snowpack this winter, stretches of windy conditions this spring and high temperatures this summer all point to an active fire season in the coming months. Lindgren agrees and said this aviation tool can help.

"With the forecast, we're anticipating an uptick in fire activity. Having this asset is going to be a huge benefit to the whole region here," Lindgren said.

Lindgren added another advantage is that it can run year-round and assist with other emergencies like floods or avalanches when it isn't needed for fires.