Helena honors open-lands manager Brad Lang with Sunny Steiger wildfire mitigation award

The Helena City Commission recognized Brad Lang, the city’s open-lands manager in the Parks and Recreation Department, with the Sunny Steiger Wildland Fire Mitigation Award at its Dec. 23 meeting.

Lois, president of the Board of the Tri County Fire Safe Working Group, said the nonprofit—formed after the 1984 North Hills fire to focus on fuel mitigation across Lewis and Clark, Jefferson and Broadwater counties—selected Lang for the award because of his “exceptional effort in mitigation for wildfire” and long-standing collaboration with county and federal partners. "I just can't say enough good about the man," she said.

Lang accepted the award and dedicated it to the staff, partner agencies and contractors who worked on mitigation across city open lands. He thanked Montana DNRC, the U.S. Forest Service, Tri County Fire, the Federal Emergency Management Association and local contractors for their roles in fuel-reduction projects.

Commissioner Logan praised Lang’s advocacy for firefighter safety and his ability to work with private landowners and contractors to advance mitigation work in the region. A Parks Department representative noted Lang has won the Sunny Steiger award twice.

The presentation was honorary; no formal action was required. The commission moved on to routine business following the recognition.