Deputy Regional Forester Named

A Massachusetts native who started his 30-year Forest Service career fighting forest fires has been named deputy regional forester for Montana and North Idaho.

Richard M. Bacon takes over the No. 2 management position after serving since 1992 as director of air, fire and aviation for the Missoula-based region.

“I had the opportunity to see Dick Bacon in action last summer in the midst of the fire season,” said Forest Service Chief Jack Ward Thomas. “His professional handling of decisions in an extremely complex situation was impressive.”

Bacon has worked in Wyoming, Idaho and California.