Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group in Bozeman, completed the study for the Legislature's Fire Suppression Interim Committee.

At a committee meeting in Choteau, Patty Gude of Headwaters told lawmakers that subdivisions being approved Thursday in the "wildland-urban interface" will increase the expense of firefighting for years to come. The report says a growing economy and "Big Sky" appeal have contributed to rapid population growth in rural areas, especially in western Montana.

Gude told the panel Wednesday that "smarter land-use policies" would reduce the costs of protecting those homes from fire.