Fighting fires and thwarting drones: Belgrade-based sister companies Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision expanding

When Tim Sheehy started Bridger Aerospace in 2014, he was just one person with one aircraft helping ranchers keep track of cattle in the Madison and Ruby valleys.

Now, Bridger Aerospace and its sister company, Ascent Vision, employ about 120 people and operate 10 manned aircraft and several drones. And the Belgrade-based companies are also adding six scooper planes, used to grab water to dump on wildfires, and expanding its air attack fleet.