(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced $850 million in additional funding to fight wildfires as Montana faces an historic fire season. More than 1,750 wildfires have burned well over 900,000 acres statewide.

"Our firefighters are often the first to show up and the last to leave during wildfire season and it's our job to make sure they have the resources to get the job done," said Baucus.  "Montana is no stranger to large wildfires which is why this investment is so important."

Baucus, who has continually worked to make sure land managers have the funding necessary to protect lives and property, supported the wildfire funding as part of a larger package the Senate passed this morning which will fund the government into 2013.  Baucus and Senator Jon Tester have been pushing the USDA since July to speed up all available federal resources for Montana agriculture producers struggling with wildfire and drought disaster conditions.

Baucus is inviting Montanans to share their stories of unsung heroes who have gone the extra mile to help others this wildfire season. You can submit your Wildfire Hero nomination online at Baucus' Wildfire Resource Guide HERE.