Big Mountain Fire and Rescue

10/20/2022

Prescribed fire starting at noon today near Whitefish Mountain Resort Thursday

Unit B (see map) to the east of Whitefish Mountain Resort was approved in the Whitefish Municipal Watershed Fuel Reduction Project in 2017. The purpose of this burn is to protect the municipal watershed by introducing prescribed fire that would reduce the chance for high intensity wildfire in the future. In addition to these protections, this burn would increase resilience to insect and disease, improve wildlife species habitat, and aid in the restoration of whitebark pine.

This controlled burn will utilize a helicopter equipped with a helitorch, a device that drops fire into the area to be burned, to accomplish ignition. Firefighters will be on scene and in surrounding areas to aid in implementation.

A temporary closure order will be in effect surrounding the burn (see map for closure area).

Fire managers are hoping to accomplish approximately 285 acres of burning approved in the Whitefish Municipal Watershed Fuels Reduction Project. A total of 850 acres were approved in this project with roughly 187 being successfully completed last year.

08/05/2022

I am sorry to report the line of duty death of Firefighter/Engineer Dan Patterson. Employed by the Spokane Valley Fire Department and member of Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 Dan passed away today after experiencing a medical emergency following his 24 hour shift on the morning of July 21.

As you may be aware, Dan was given a chance by the oncoming shift at his own firehouse who worked flawlessly to save his life. And they did. I hope those firefighters know that their efforts also gave an opportunity to Dan's wife, children, family, and close friends to all pay their final respects for his love, his life, and his service. This of course is not how we want to say goodbye to anyone. In Dan's final act of service, I am told that he is an organ donor. Between the efforts of his fellow firefighters, the selfless love of Dan and his family, he is now able to save even more lives. The chain of care that has been provided is truly remarkable despite the terrible sadness of his family. I only hope that his family can take some comfort that their goodbyes may mean someone else's hello. I am so very sorry for their loss.

To his wife, children, family, friends, and fellow firefighters at IAFF Local 876, I send my love and care to you as we all plan to honor the life of our fallen friend. I will share more info as it becomes available and in conjunction with his local and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.

07/07/2022

❗IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS UPDATE❗

This Friday, July 8, the mountain will be CLOSED to all uphill biking and hiking traffic due to Chair 4 construction.

That means the following activities/services will be closed:
-Scenic Lift Rides and Summit House ❌
-Zip Line Tours and Chair 10 Mountain Biking ❌
-Chair 2 for public Mountain Biking (Northwest Cup) ❌
-Danny On trail or any other hiking routes that go above the village ❌

These activities/services will remain open:
-Base Lodge Café & Bar ✅
-Aerial Adventure Park ✅
-Alpine Slide ✅
-Strider Bike Park ✅
-Spider Monkey Mountain ✅

We know this is a big closure, but the silver lining is this: Chair 1 will open for Mountain Bikers on Monday, July 11! We'll follow up later this week with more details. Thanks for your understanding.

06/02/2022

Lakeside Qru/Ambulance

05/27/2022

In 1981 a living restriction was voted on that mandated Kalispell Firefighters to live within 3 miles or 15 minutes of city limits. This was common industry practice at that time, but since has fallen out of favor. Simply put, due to increased cost of living and lack of affordable housing, many of us cannot afford to live in Kalispell. The city and fire department are working together to eliminate this requirement, but since it was voted in over 40 years ago, the only way to eliminate it is with a vote. Please vote "YES" to help the city and fire department remove this living restriction.

02/27/2022

Firefighter/EMT Big Mountain Fire District

The Big Mountain Fire Department is accepting applications for a full-time FF/EMT. Applicants must be 21 years of age, have a current Montana License or NREMT, and must pass a physical ability test. Benefits include paid leave, Firefighters Unified Retirement system, Employee Health Insurance coverage. Shifts are 48/96 with regularly scheduled overtime. Please contact Chief Ben DeVall for an application or to answer any questions at [email protected] or 406-862-3748. Applications will be accepted through March 20th, 2022.

01/22/2022

A Spokane firefighter is alive today thanks to the pit crew CPR training his department gave to the Missoula Fire Department in 2015.

12/30/2021

12/04/2021

Have you seen all those Jack's Army signs around Missoula? They are in support of… Missoula Firefighters Local 271 needs your support for Jack's Army Bridge