Belt Rural Fire District

09/04/2026

September 2, 2026 – Multiple Incidents / Cora Creek Wildland Fire

On September 2, Belt Rural Fire District responded to numerous calls for service during a significant wind event, beginning at approximately 3:56 p.m.

The first call involved a downed power line within the City of Belt that had started a fire. Shortly afterward, Belt Rural was dispatched to a reported wildland fire in the area between Armington Junction and Cora Creek Road.

Upon arrival and as the scope of the incident became clear, Belt Rural requested a second alarm and mutual aid assistance. With multiple incidents occurring simultaneously, strong winds driving fire behavior, and the potential for rapid growth, additional resources were requested, including aircraft and apparatus to assist with containment.

Cascade County Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) recognized the developing situation and quickly began assisting with coordination and mobilization of resources. An all-county mutual aid response was requested for what became the Cora Creek Fire.

A tremendous number of agencies and organizations answered that call, including:

• Rainsford Fire
• Geyser Fire
• Malmstrom Fire Department
• Montana Air National Guard Fire Department
• Cascade Fire
• Sand Coulee Fire
• Simms Fire
• Monarch Fire
• Vaughn Fire
• Gore Hill Fire
• Ulm Fire
• Sun Prairie Fire
• Black Eagle Fire

Multiple Cascade County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement personnel also assisted with traffic control and notifications to residents in the surrounding area.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) provided two engines and crews, a helicopter for water drops, and a fixed-wing aircraft that provided an aerial view of the fire’s size, growth, and potential threats. DNRC also provided a 14-person hand crew the following morning to continue working on containment.

Sally One was brought in to provide food and drinks for personnel working the incident.

Cascade County DES played a critical role in coordinating and mobilizing a large number of resources in a very short period of time.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of everyone involved, the Cora Creek Fire was contained at approximately 280 acres.

Belt Rural Fire District cannot express enough gratitude to our mutual aid partners, law enforcement, emergency management personnel, DNRC crews, support organizations, dispatchers, and everyone else who contributed to this response. An incident of this size—especially during a significant wind event—cannot be handled by one department alone.

Without the quick response, hard work, and cooperation of all of our mutual aid partners, containing this fire at approximately 280 acres would not have been possible.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a strong network of agencies and individuals willing to answer the call and work side by side when our communities need them most.

Thank you to everyone who responded, supported the operation, and helped protect our community.

08/22/2026

05/20/2026

Join us for the upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Belt Community Ambulance Center on Wednesday, May 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Every donation can help save lives right here in our communities. Appointments are encouraged and can be made at RedCrossBlood.org using sponsor code: belt

We hope to see you there!

05/20/2026

Belt Rural Fire District and Belt Volunteer Ambulance had the opportunity to train with the crew from Mercy Flight yesterday. The training focused on helicopter operations, landing zone safety, patient loading procedures, and improving coordination between ground responders and air medical crews.

We appreciate Mercy Flight taking the time to come out, share their knowledge, and help strengthen our teamwork and preparedness for future emergency responses. Opportunities like this are invaluable for continuing education and ensuring the best possible care for our community.

Thank you to the Mercy Flight crew for your time and professionalism!

04/04/2026

Thank you to the Cascade County dispatchers for everything you do. Your work behind the scenes keeps our crews moving and our community safe. We appreciate you.

03/27/2026

🚨 CALL UPDATE 🚨

At approximately 2:17 PM on March 26th, Belt Rural Fire District was paged to a tractor fire.

Crews arrived to find the tractor on fire and worked to extinguish it while keeping the fire from spreading to surrounding grass.

Sand Coulee Fire Department responded on mutual aid and provided valuable support with suppression and overhaul operations.

Crews remained until the fire was fully out and the area was secured.

We appreciate the continued support from our community and our neighboring departments.

03/21/2026

Give the gift of life 🩸

Join us for a community blood drive in Belt and help make a real difference. Every donation can save lives right here in our communities.

📍 Belt Ambulance Center
📅 Wednesday, March 25
⏰ 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Walk-ins welcome or schedule ahead if you can.

03/20/2026

Community Reminder: Call 911 First

Even in a small, close-knit community like Belt, 911 should always be your first call for any fire or medical emergency.

Calling a responder directly can delay help. When you call 911, dispatch can immediately alert crews, send the right resources, and coordinate the response.

Calling 911 doesn’t always mean lights and sirens—it means the right response.

Even if it seems minor, calling 911 ensures the fastest, most coordinated help possible.

Thank you for supporting your local volunteers.

03/13/2026

🚨 Call Update 3/12/26 🚨

Belt Fire District responded to a wildland fire early this morning caused by a downed power line. The fire burned approximately 1/2 acre.

Crews worked in challenging conditions with wind gusts reaching 65 mph, but were able to quickly contain the fire and complete mop-up operations.

Thank you to Malmstrom AFB Fire Department, Sand Coulee Fire Department, Monarch Fire Department, and Sun River Electric for their quick mutual aid response and assistance on scene.

We appreciate the continued support and teamwork that helps keep our community safe

03/01/2026