Great Falls Fire Rescue

08/14/2026

We appreciate Malmstrom Fire Department taking the time to train with us and look forward to more opportunities to work together. 🚒🤝

08/07/2026

This is not a good statistic for Montana to be leading the nation in. Please Buckel Up and Stay Safe!

A study of five years of crash data puts Montana at the top of the list for unbuckled traffic fatalities, nearly nine times higher than the safest states.

08/05/2026

GREAT FALLS FIRE RESCUE
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Great Falls Fire Rescue 406-727-8070
[email protected]

DATE: August 5, 2026

EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYS HOUSE AT 1109 8TH AVE S

Great Falls, MT – At 4:36 a.m. this morning, Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) was dispatched to a reported garage fire at 1109 8th Avenue South.
Fire crews arrived on scene at 4:43 a.m. to find the detached garage fully engulfed in flames, with fire already extending to the primary residence and threatening the neighboring home at 1115 8th Avenue South.
Due to the heavy fire conditions and the significant risk of structural collapse, incident commanders immediately transitioned to defensive firefighting operations and requested a Second Alarm, bringing additional personnel and equipment to the scene. Defensive operations are used when conditions are too dangerous for firefighters to safely enter a structure, requiring crews to attack the fire from the exterior.
Firefighters quickly worked to protect the neighboring home at 1115 8th Avenue South, successfully preventing the fire from spreading into the residence. While the neighboring home sustained damage to its exterior siding and gutters, no significant structural damage was observed.
Despite an aggressive exterior attack, the fire at 1109 intensified rapidly. The detached garage collapsed early in the incident, followed shortly by the collapse of the home's roof, making suppression efforts even more challenging.
During the incident, firefighters learned that the homeowner had reportedly passed away several weeks ago and that the residence was believed to be vacant. Because that information could not be confirmed during the initial stages of the fire, crews treated the incident as a potential rescue until conditions allowed for a thorough search.
Following the collapse, GFFR requested assistance from the City of Great Falls Utilities Division. Using heavy equipment, Utilities personnel safely removed large sections of debris, allowing firefighters to access concealed hot spots and complete extinguishment operations much more efficiently. Without this assistance, crews likely would have remained on scene for several additional hours.
The structure and debris were searched once conditions allowed. No victims or animals were located.
The garage and residence at 1109 8th Avenue South are considered a total loss.
Firefighters currently remain on scene monitoring hot spots.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Investigators. At this time, there is no indication that the fire is criminal in nature.
Great Falls Fire Rescue would like to thank the City of Great Falls Utilities Division for its invaluable assistance during this incident, as well as the neighboring residents for their patience while crews worked to bring the fire under control.

# # #

08/05/2026

🚨 GFFR Crews are currently on scene of a working structure fire on 8th Ave South and 11th Street🚨

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes to allow emergency personnel safe access to the scene. Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work to bring the incident under control. Additional information will be provided when available.

08/03/2026

Calumet Montana and Montana Renewables will conduct a plant-wide emergency response drill on Wednesday, August 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as part of our ongoing commitment to safety, emergency preparedness, and community protection.
During the exercise, the plant's emergency notification system will be activated. As a result, audible alarms may be heard by individuals and businesses in the surrounding area.
Please be advised that this is a planned safety drill and not an actual emergency. No action is required from community members.
In the event of a real emergency requiring community response or protective actions, information and instructions would be communicated directly by local emergency officials through established notification channels as part of a unified command response.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we conduct this important training exercise to help ensure the safety of our employees, neighbors, and community.

08/03/2026

GFFR July 2026 End of Month
OPERATIONS DIVISION:
• Total Calls for Service: 656
• Fire Calls: 13
o 7 Trach/Dumpster Fires
o 1 Grass Fire
o 3 Structure Fires
o 1 Car Fire
o 1 Fire Confined to Cook Vessel
• Hazardous Situation: 49
• Emergency Medical Calls: 375
• Public Service: 93
• Rescue: 5
• False Alarm Responses: 120
• Law Enforcement Support: 1
Fire Prevention Division:
• Life Safety Inspections Completed: 158
o 13 fire code violations found
• Fire Alarm System Acceptance: 4
• Fire Sprinkler System Acceptance: 2
• Fire Pump Acceptance: 1
• Commercial Kitchen Hood System Acceptance: 1
• Underground Fire Line Flush: 1
• Mobile Food Vendor Inspections: 6 new plus all the State Fair Vendors
• Fireworks Stand Inspections within City Limits: 6
Fire Prevention Education:
• Education for summer youth programs: 200 youth educated
• Education for High School Students: 10 High School students
• Fire Extinguisher Class: 1

07/29/2026

👏🏼🚨A big shoutout to Ox & Son Towing Recovery for years of supporting Great Falls Fire Rescue's extrication training!🚨👏🏼

They help make this important hands-on training possible by delivering and removing vehicles for our crews to train on and sharpen their skills needed when it matters most!

Thank you for being such a great community partner! 👊🏼

07/24/2026

🌞Its going to HOT over the next several days!🌞

🌡 Extreme heat can become dangerous quickly, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with certain health conditions.

Help protect yourself and those around you:

💧Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
😓Limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
👕Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
👴👵Check on neighbors, friends, and family members who may be more vulnerable.
🐕Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. Not even for a few minutes!

Know the warning signs of heat illness.🤒

Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, or muscle cramps may be signs of HEAT EXHAUSTION.

Confusion, fainting, seizures, or a very high body temperature may indicate HEAT STROKE, a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and take the heat seriously.

A quick check-in with someone you care about could make all the difference.

07/23/2026

Great Falls Fire Rescue would like to thank the community of Great Falls for nominating us to receive DrinkLMNT electrolytes! With the high temps in Great Falls, keeping our firefighters hydrated is key to their optimal performance. Thank you, GF and LMNT!