American Red Cross - North Dakota/NW MN

10/15/2026

Every 8 minutes in the United States, the American Red Cross responds to a disaster. These can be the massive wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes that you see on tv, but 90% of these disasters are home fires like this one.

Disaster Action Team members are the volunteers that are the boots on the ground when disaster strikes. They provide a safe place for people to sleep, resources and next steps for families that aren't sure what to do next, and most importantly, a sense of hope and comfort.

And we are always recruiting, whether you live in Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, or anywhere in between - disasters have no zip code.

Join today.

Seven people are temporarily out of a home after a fire in Grand Forks.The fire department was called to 2210 4th Avenue North just after 9 a.m.

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Though we may be many hundreds of miles away from the shores of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, trained Red Cross disaster responders are deploying from the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, and from around the country, in preparation for Hurricane Isaias’ landfall.

To date, 7 Red Cross disaster responders have deployed to the Gulf Coast from our region, with 5 more on standby. We are thankful for those willing to take time away from their families to deploy to disasters, as well as the volunteers who continue to respond to home fires in our region every day.

10/07/2026

For Katryna, a home fire was a reminder of what matters most.

In Minot, North Dakota, smoke alarms woke her fiancé in time to escape with Katryna’s 11-year-old cat Precious.

In the days that followed, the Red Cross helped with immediate disaster assistance, including financial support, comfort kits, cleaning items and a hotel stay that allowed Katryna to keep Precious with her.

Katryna hopes her experience reminds others that home fires can happen to anyone and that working smoke alarms are one simple step that can help protect the people and pets we love most.

Learn more about home fire safety at redcross.org/fire.

10/05/2026

Home fires can happen quickly. Two simple steps can help protect your household: test your smoke alarms every month and practice your home fire escape plan.

It's Fire Prevention Week, so take a few minutes to make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if a fire starts.

Save this post, test your alarms and practice your plan.

10/03/2026

Is it too early to start thinking about your winter emergency car kit?

🍂 Actually, Fall is the perfect time to go through your kit! Make sure it has everything you need well before winter, just in case you have to use it.

🥫 If you have food packed, check the label and make sure it hasn't expired
🔦 Change the batteries on your flashlight
🚰 Make sure any water you have packed hasn't sprung a leak
🧰 Replenish your first aid kit
🧦 And it probably wouldn't hurt to wash any blankets or extra clothes you've had packed for the last year

Happen to be missing something from the list? Look for sales and stock up ahead of the winter season, before everyone is also trying to update their winter emergency kits.

10/02/2026

Would you know what to do in an emergency like Matias and Eoin did?

Red Cross training can help you build lifesaving skills in CPR, first aid, water safety and more.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, so it's the perfect time to find a class near you at redcross.org/TakeAClass and take the next step toward being ready to help when it matters most.

10/01/2026

Earlier this week, an apartment fire in Devils Lake, North Dakota, displaced dozens of individuals and families from their homes.

Volunteers partnered with Lake Region State College to make sure everyone had a safe place to stay and warm meals while they awaited word on when they could return to their apartments. Thankfully, the families that were staying with us at the shelter were able to return to their homes today.

Thanks to LRSC for being generous hosts during this response, as well as Gate City Bank for their support and to MetroPlains Management for their coordination. It's wonderful to see communities come together to support their neighbors.