ABOUT
As growth accelerates across the West, development in the wildland–urban interface is increasingly outpacing the capacity of local emergency services, creating elevated wildfire risk for communities, critical infrastructure, and private assets alike. Utilities, landowners, developers, and insurers are now faced with managing risk at a scale and complexity that demands more than traditional planning approaches.
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Our team has operated on the frontlines of this challenge, leading emergency response organizations in Southwest Montana while working with public and private stakeholders to better understand and reduce wildfire risk.
We have supported innovative approaches to service delivery, infrastructure planning, and risk mitigation that help organizations stay ahead of increasing exposure.
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From subdivision and infrastructure fire planning to funding strategies and capital investment, we bring a proven track record of strengthening capability and resilience. Our work integrates operational experience with advanced geospatial analysis and fire behavior insights—translating complex information into clear, actionable decisions.
OUR TEAM
Dustin Tetrault
Founder and Principal
Dustin Tetrault is a career public safety leader with more than 20 years of experience across fire service, emergency management, and wildfire operations. His background spans both operational and executive leadership roles, including firefighter, paramedic, Fire Warden, Emergency Manager, Fire Marshal, and Fire Chief. He most recently served as Fire Chief in Big Sky, Montana—one of the fastest-growing wildland–urban interface communities in the United States—where he has led innovative approaches to wildfire risk reduction, service delivery, and community resilience.
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Dustin also served Gallatin and Madison Counties as a Deputy Fire Warden and Emergency Management Duty Officer, and as the Planning Section Chief on the Montana DNRC Wildfire Incident Management Team, supporting complex wildfire incidents across the region. His experience operating at the intersection of field response, planning, and policy provides a unique perspective on managing wildfire risk at both the incident and community scale.
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He has been a leader in advancing wildfire mitigation and community risk reduction, including the creation of a 10-person fuels module in Big Sky and the implementation of multiple wildfire-focused community risk reduction programs. Dustin was among the first professionals in Montana to earn the NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) designation and recently served on the NFPA Certification Advisory Group responsible for updating the certification and examination standards.
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Dustin has contributed nationally to wildfire and WUI policy and best practices, serving on a fire service advisory panel with the Society of Fire Protection Engineers to support the development of the WUI Handbook, and as a subject-matter expert with Headwaters Economics on numerous wildfire risk and structural mitigation tools. He is an active leader within the fire service, serving on the Montana State Fire Chiefs Board of Directors, the State Fire Chiefs Wildfire Policy Committee, the Montana Fire Adapted Learning Network, the National Fire Adapted Communities Network, and the Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network.
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His work and perspectives have been featured in national and regional media, including appearances on GovTech's In Machines We Trust podcast discussing AI-based wildfire detection, the Strategic Fire Vision 20/20 Community Risk Reduction podcast, and PBS Montana Frontline.
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Dustin holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration from Franklin University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. His certifications include Nationally Registered Paramedic, Center for Public Safety Excellence Chief Fire Officer, NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, multiple ICC inspector certifications, FAA Part 107 UAS Pilot, and numerous NWCG and FEMA qualifications, including Incident Commander and Planning Section Chief.
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Known for bridging operational experience with technical and strategic insight, Dustin brings a practical, data-driven approach to helping organizations better understand wildfire risk and make informed decisions.
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Dustin collaborates with a network of nationally recognized Fire Behavior Analysts (FBANs), Long-Term Fire Analysts (LTANs), operational fire professionals, and GIS specialists—bringing together advanced technical expertise and real-world experience to deliver comprehensive wildfire risk and mitigation solutions.
Jim King
Technical Specialist
Jim King is a senior wildland fire professional with more than 25 years of federal fire and fuels management experience across multiple regions of the United States. He currently serves as the District Fire Management Officer (FMO) for the U.S. Forest Service in Southwest Montana, where he provides leadership and oversight for wildfire response, fuels programs, and risk-based fire management strategies.
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Throughout his career, Jim has held a wide range of operational and leadership roles within the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, including assignments in Arizona and Rocky Mountain National Park. His experience spans program leadership, interagency coordination, and on-the-ground operations, including service on wildland fire engines and interagency hotshot crews.
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Jim is actively engaged in complex incident management and serves as both a Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long-Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) on Complex Incident Management Teams, supporting incidents across the western United States. His qualifications include Incident Commander Type 3, Division Supervisor, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (Type 2), and Strategic Operational Planner.
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In addition to his incident management work, Jim leads prescribed fire and fuels programs, annually overseeing the treatment of approximately 1,000 acres. He is also a cadre member for advanced wildland fire behavior courses (S-490 and S-590), helping train the next generation of fire behavior analysts and fire managers.
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Jim brings a strong foundation in collaborative, landscape-scale wildfire management. He has contributed to Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) efforts and serves on a local fire department board, reinforcing his commitment to bridging federal land management with local community risk reduction.
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He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Forestry from the University of Vermont.