As part of a statewide tour, "Fire Ready, Montana" will try to help prepare Lincoln-area residents for the next wildfire.

The Fire Ready meeting is slated to take place from 5 to 9 p.m. today in the Lincoln Community Hall, 404 Highway 200. It will feature community leaders and experts in wildfire preparedness on issues including mitigation, insurance and volunteering. Community members also can participate in "Map Your Neighborhood" training from 7 to 9 p.m.

"Community organizations like FireSafe Montana recognize the importance of neighbors helping neighbors." said Jan Lombardi, Director of the Governor's Office of Community Service. "We hope to help community leaders map their neighborhood resources and be prepared should wildfire danger occur."

Gov. Brian Schweitzer noted that while this has been a great year for moisture, next year the state might not be so lucky, so people need to be prepared.

"We all can pitch in and take personal responsibility with simple steps to create 'firewise' zones around our own homes; the time to act is now," Schweitzer said.

"Fire Ready, Montana" outreach is part of the newly launched "Are you Ready?" statewide campaign that is funded through a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Citizen Corps to strengthen awareness and preparedness of Montanans.

For more information about the "Fire Ready, Montana" statewide tour of community events, visit the Web site: ready.mt.gov and click on Fire Ready MT: stories from the road.