Cascade County Disaster & Emergency Services

09/24/2026

This week, we’re proud to celebrate National CERT Week and recognize the incredible community members who step up to make a difference through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). ❤️

CERT volunteers are trained to support local emergency services and help their neighbors during disasters. From basic first aid and fire safety, to search and rescue and preparedness education- CERT members bring vital skills and steady leadership when it matters most!

Here in Cascade County, we’re grateful for everyone who has taken the time to train, volunteer, and strengthen our community’s resilience. Your commitment helps ensure that when emergencies happen, our community is ready.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now is the perfect time! Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about upcoming CERT training opportunities and how you can be part of this effort.

Thank you to all CERT volunteers, your dedication truly makes our community stronger. 👏

09/11/2026

September 11, 2001

A day that changed our Nation, with the effects of the horrific acts committed that day, felt even 25 years later. Today we honor every soul lost.

Never forget.

9/11/2001

09/10/2026

Join us for the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony tomorrow morning, at 0800 on the Civic Center Front Steps. Following the ceremony, GFFR is hosting an open house/pancake breakfast at Station 1.

Hope to see you there!

🔔September 11th Remembrance Ceremony and Pancake Breakfast this Friday 🔔

Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR), together with community and response partners, invite the public to join us on Friday, September 11th to remember the lives lost and honor the courage, sacrifice and service demonstrated on September 11th, 2001, and in the years that followed.

🕗The September 11th Remembrance Ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11th, 2026, at the front steps of the Great Falls Civic Center, 2 Park Drive South, Great Falls, MT.

⛅This ceremony is weather dependent. In the event of weather conditions that prevent the ceremony from being safely held outdoors, the event will be canceled. Cancellation notifications will be made on Great Falls Fire Rescue’s page and on the City of Great Falls website.

🚫To accommodate the ceremony, the following road closures will be in effect Friday, September 11th, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. until approximately 9:00 a.m.:
•Park Drive between 1st Avenue South and 1st Avenue North; and
•Central Avenue between Park Drive S. and 2nd Street.

Motorists should plan for alternate routes during this time.

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to share this information with anyone who may be affected by the closures.

🚒 🥞Following the ceremony, Great Falls Fire Rescue invites the community to join GFFR firefighters for an Open House and Pancake Breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Fire Station 1, 105 9th Street South, Great Falls, MT.

The open house provides an opportunity for community members to visit the station, meet GFFR personnel, and spend time together as we commemorate this important anniversary. All are welcome to attend.

Parking near Fire Station 1 may be limited.

🚫Please do not park in front of the station’s bay doors or in any location that could block fire apparatus. GFFR crews will remain in service throughout the event and must be able to respond to emergency calls without delay.

Great Falls Fire Rescue encourages the community to join us on September 11th as we remember those who lost their lives, honor those who answered the call to serve, and recognize the courage and commitment to service that has and continues to inspire us 25 years later.

09/08/2026

Open burning is PERMITTED in Cascade County as of 9/8/2026 @ 0905.

Remember to check the status of burning frequently to ensure compliance! Montana weather can go from good to bad, in just a few hours.

Want to burn? 🔥🔥

Before you light:
▶️Get a burn permit from Cascade County’s DES office—it’s required for any open burning of vegetative debris.
https://app.egovmt.com/burnpermit/
▶️Burn only allowed materials: clean, untreated vegetative debris like cut branches and grass. No treated wood, garbage, plastics, tires, animal remains, or household waste.
▶️Stay ready: keep water, tools, and people on-site to control the burn until it's completely out. Remember: EXTINGUISH your fires completely, monitoring the site well after the fire is out- fires can reignite weeks later!
▶️Monitor burn advisories: the county may ban burning if wildfire risk spikes or weather patterns change or escalate!!
For current forecasts and weather activity, visit NWS: https://www.weather.gov/tfx

09/02/2026

ALERT UPDATES (9/2/2026 @0850):

Cascade County, City of Great Falls and Mutual aid partners are actively responded to calls for service within the City and throughout Cascade County.

MULTIPLE WILDLAND FIRES reported 9/2/2026.

Emergency crews responded to multiple wildland fires throughout Cascade County as high winds created dangerous fire conditions through downed power lines and additional ignition sources.

Reported fires:

Cora Creek Rd/MT Highway 200, Belt MT - In mop up
Church St/Belt Creek Rd, Belt MT - Extinguished
Fisk Rd, Simms MT - Extinguished

A HUGE thank you to our County, Military, DNRC and Mutual Aid partners for a SWIFT and collaborative response to the influx of wild land fire activity. We are grateful for the collaborative effort all all response teams to ensure the best outcome of today’s events. ❤️

End of update.
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Please avoid affected areas. Keeping roads and access points clear is critical so firefighters, law enforcement, and other emergency responders can safely reach these incidents. Do not drive toward fire areas to watch, take photos, or check conditions.

Help keep yourself and your family safe:
• Stay alert for changing conditions — high winds can cause fire to spread rapidly and change direction with little warning.
• Secure outdoor items that could blow into roadways or power lines.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
• Keep your phone charged and monitor official sources for emergency information.
• If you live near an active fire, be prepared to leave quickly if conditions change or evacuation instructions are issued.

Conditions are changing quickly. Please give our responders the space and access they need to work safely.

DO NOT CALL 911 UNLESS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY, OR YOU ARE REPORTING A FIRE.

Stay alert. Stay clear. Stay safe.

08/26/2026

NEWS RELEASE August 25, 2026

Cascade County reports first human case of West Nile Virus. Read the CCHD press release below 👇

NEWS RELEASE August 25, 2026

Cascade County reports first human case of West Nile Virus

Cascade County public health officials have reported the state’s first case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a human. The last human case reported in Cascade County was in 2018.

WNV is a virus is primarily spread to people by mosquito bites. The severity and symptoms of WNV can vary widely. Approximately 80% of persons infected experience no symptoms, but up to 20% of infected persons can develop a mild illness called West Nile fever.

Residents are strongly encouraged to take steps to protect themselves. The single best defense against WNV is bite prevention. To protect yourself, use the 5 Ds:
• DEET - Apply repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET, and follow the directions on the package.
• DUSK and DAWN - This is when mosquitoes are most active. Try to avoid outdoor activities during these times.
• DRAIN STANDING WATER - Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Drain such areas around your home (gutters, pools, tires, buckets, water bowls, etc.).
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY - Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.

Cascade County W**d & Mosquito Division has been conducting regular treatments for mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes and will continue to do so in addition to ongoing surveillance and monitoring efforts.

Media inquiries should be directed to Trisha Gardner at 406-791-9261 or Joshua Blystone at 406-454-6920.

08/21/2026

NEWS RELEASE 8/21/2026

West Nile Virus Detected in Cascade County Mosquito Pool

The first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample of 2026 has been confirmed for Cascade County. A WNV positive sample of adult Culex tarsalis mosquitos was collected southeast of the town of Simms.

The single best defense against WNV is bite prevention.
To protect yourself, use the 5 Ds:
• DEET - Apply repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET, and follow the directions on the package.
• DUSK and DAWN - This is when mosquitoes are most active. Try to avoid outdoor activities during these times.
• DRAIN STANDING WATER - Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Drain such areas around your home (gutters, pools, tires, buckets, water bowls, etc.).
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY - Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.

Media inquiries should be directed at Trisha Gardner at 406-791-9261 or Joshua Blystone at 406-454-6920.

Full Information is within attached release.

08/03/2026

✨✨ It’s National Emergency Management Awareness Month! ✨✨

Do you ever wonder what an Emergency Manager is, and why your community has one?

Simply put, we are the glue that holds everything together when it starts to fall apart.

Watch this short clip exposing what we do behind the scenes!

08/02/2026

Cal Fire has it figured out when it comes to fire preparedness. Here in Montana, wildfire risk is especially high this time of year. Fire moves FAST, comes without warning and is unforgiving.

Are you and your entire family prepared to get up and go?

Your Emergency Go-bags should have important documents, changes of clothes, essential medications, extra cash, pet registrations and temporary food and water supply at the minimum.

Emergency preparedness is the one thing everyone wishes they would have paid attention to when disaster strikes. Are you prepared?

08/01/2026

Wildland Fire Report:

A wildland fire was reported north of Great Falls in Cascade County, MT near the intersection of Bootlegger Trail and Wilson Road.

Incident Command estimates 72 acres burned. At this time, 1442 8/1/2026, crews are in mop up and have successfully extinguished the fire.

HUGE thank you to all responding crews in their collaboration and communication efforts, yielding a swift and successful response.

Remember, if you see smoke or flames, dial 911 immediately.