Listen above for KHOL’s full conversation with Fire In The Mountains founder Jeremy Walker. More information including pre-sale tickets at FITMFEST.COM.
Fire In The Mountains is a music festival that highlights the symbiotic relationship between the primal power of heavy music and the wild majesty of mountain landscapes. After three successful events in 2018, 2019 and 2022 at Heart Six Ranch in nearby Moran, WY, elected officials denied the event’s permits in 2023 and was left wondering what to do next.
“We put a lot of energy and resources into trying to have the festival after a very successful 2022 rendition,” festival founder Jeremy Walker said. “So when we were denied last summer, it was, for lack of a better word, completely heartbreaking for all of us who had put so much of our time over the course of seven years.”
After over a year of researching, scouting and extensive planning, Fire In The Mountains has been reignited with a move to the Rocky Mountains of Northwestern Montana. The 2025 edition will take place at the Red Eagle Campground on the Blackfeet Nation reservation in East Glacier Park, Montana. The expansive and breathtaking location has Walker and his team over the moon about the possibilities. It all started from an email received soon after the permit denial.
About two weeks later, Walker had a new message in the festival’s inbox suggesting he come check out the one-of-a-kind natural wonderland. Though not on his radar, Walker decided to take a leap of faith and check it out.
“I took the drive up north and when he showed it to me, my jaw hit the ground, ‘Yeah,’ I said, ‘This is it!’
The Tetons won’t be the backdrop but the new location ushers in an entirely new supportive community willing to work together to make a lasting economic, environmental and social impact.
The hardest part about the move is losing the connection to the local Jackson community he lives in and loves so much, Walker said. Walker has been in the community for a number of years and works as the general manager at Teton Village’s popular bar/restaurant/music venue the Mangy Moose.
“But what do we gain from moving it to Montana? Quite a lot. Working with the Blackfeet tribal council and elders on this project has been wild for us. We have learned a lot. It is very easy to go up to that landscape and be humbled,” he said.
From Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27, next summer’s festival will not only feature killer bands from all over the world but also educational workshops, art vendors, teen outreach programming, and an overall focus on suicide prevention and mental health.
“Music can save lives—especially metal. People have gotten into metal because they went through a dark time in their lives. It’s a catharsis, Walker said.
For outreach, Walker started a new teen outreach nonprofit, Firekeeper Alliance, funded primarily by festival proceeds. Teens will be able to sign up to learn skills like music engineering, music production, operations, logistics, security, hospitality.
“If five years from now, one of the kids who learned how to music engineer for the first time at Fire In The Mountains is on tour with Metallica or something,” Walker said, “that would be a dream.”
Out of respect for the hosts, while recognizing the dark role alcohol has played in Native American history, this year’s event will be completely free of booze. Walker said that’s a small price to pay.
“I think that we can reinvigorate the people in attendance and the bands, to come and have a great time because of how incredible this location is, how incredible the lineup will be, how incredible the cultural programming will be, the workshops, the vendors, etc. They’re gonna leave on Monday after the festival and be more energized than if they had been drinking whiskey all weekend.”
