Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to multiple fires in November and provided mutual aid for a Dec. 1 fire in Black Eagle, for a total of 38 structure fires this year so far.

There were seven structure fires in November, remaining on par with 2024 when there were six in November and seven in December, for a total of 41 in Great Falls.

Black Eagle Volunteer Fire and mutual aid agencies were dispatched at about 3:45 p.m. Dec. 1 to a fire on 13th St. N.E. in Black Eagle.

GFFR responds to two grass fires

A volunteer firefighter saw the fire on his way to work and immediately went to the scene with a Black Eagle fire engine responding within 9 minutes of being dispatched, according to BEVFD. They stretched a handline for fire control and primary search in cold weather.

They struck a second alarm and GFFR responded.

GFFR responds to two fires this week, bringing year’s total to 29

The fire was under control in about 30 minutes and firefighters stayed on scene throughout the morning to check for fire extension and cleaning up.

The structure, which was home to four residents, is considered a total loss, according to BEVFD.

Just after midnight on Nov. 29, GFFR was dispatched to 1122 2nd Ave. S.W.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find heavy smoke and flames coming from what appeared to be a vacant trailer.

Crews attacked the fire from outside and another engine crew arrived to assist.

GFFR training rookie, fourth female firefighter; working on training center upgrades

Neighbors told GFFR that the trailer was vacant but squatters had been known to use it as shelter.

Firefighters searched the trailer and found no occupants.

The trailer sustained heavy fire damage and is considered a total loss, according to GFFR.

The cause is not yet determined.

Due to the size of the fire and weather conditions, GFFR struck a second alarm, calling off-duty firefighters back to work and requested mutual aid.

Attic fire is 27th of the year in Great Falls

Under the weather conditions, firefighters extinguished the fire within about 15 minutes from when it was reported, but cleanup was labor intensive as many of the hoses were stiff and beginning to freeze, according to GFFR.

Around 10:22 p.m. Nov. 24, GFFR was dispatched to 2010 River Drive N., Unit 4 where crews found smoke coming from a mobile home.

Firefighters entered the mobile home, encountering heavy smoke, high heat and a fire in the kitchen, which they quickly extinguished.

GFFR responds to two structure fires this week; numbers on par with 2024

The occupants had just returned home and noticed smoke coming from their mobile home. A bearded dragon was inside at the time and found safe and unharmed.

The fire was determined to be accidental due to occupants having place items on the stove top, which was inadvertently turned on, according to GFFR.

At 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12, GFFR responded to a fire at 800 4th Ave. S.W.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find smoke showing from the front window of the house.

GFFR responds to fire at vacant house

They made entry into the house, finding the fire in a bedroom and were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

The two elderly occupants, as well as their dog and cat, made it out safety.

The fire caused minimal damage and was determined to be electrical in nature, according to GFFR.

For the week of Nov. 23-30, GFFR’s total call volume was 150 and included:

• medical calls: 96
• fire calls: 14
• calls for service: 32
• hazardous conditions: 8

Jenn Rowell

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