Month: December 2024

December 9, 2024

News Release
How to Enjoy a Fire Safe Holiday Season

News release prepared by:
Battalion Chief Greg Orr

The holiday season is a time for celebrations, festive decorations, and gatherings with friends and family. Still, the season also presents fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one.  Between 2018-2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 155 home fires a year that started with Christmas trees. An estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Many of those involved candles.

With all the shopping, decorating, cooking, and entertaining that happens this time of year, it can be easy to overlook fire safety, so the Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) would like to remind everyone to follow a few simple safety tips to help prevent tragedy this holiday season:

Holiday Decorating 

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant. Look for decorations with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for several light strands to connect safely.
• Do not overload outlets.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Christmas Trees

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand every day.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home.

Candles

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
• Buying battery-powered candles, menorahs, and kinaras is possible, but if you prefer traditional candles, you can still celebrate in a fire-smart way. Keep flammable items, including curtains and holiday decorations, at least 3 feet away from your candles. Also, place your menorah or kinara on a non-flammable surface to catch the melting candle wax, such as a tray lined with aluminum foil.

By following these simple tips and measures, you can help ensure that your holiday season is a safe and happy one. For more information on holiday fire safety, please contact MRFD at 406-549-6172. From all of us at the Missoula Rural Fire District, Happy Holidays!

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December 3rd, 2024
News release prepared by:
Assistant Chief Kirk Paulsen
At 6:28pm, on Monday December 2nd, 2024, the Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) was
dispatched to a report of a structure fire on North Avenue West in the Target Range area.
Within 6 minutes, MRFD’s Battalion Chief arrived on scene and reported a working structure
fire with smoke coming from the attached garage and out the front door. Crews made an
aggressive interior attack which confined the fire to the attached garage and shop area, however,
the home did sustain moderate to heavy smoke damage. Crews remained on the scene for several
hours putting out hot spots and making sure the fire had not extended to any other parts of the
home.
MRFD responded with 5 Engines, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Command Vehicle, and 17 firefighters.
MRFD was assisted on scene by Missoula Emergency Services Inc. (MESI), Missoula County
Sheriff’s Department, and Northwestern Energy.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. No injuries were reported on scene.
The Missoula Rural Fire District would like to take this opportunity to remind homeowners to
check their smoke detectors as they save lives and can limit the size of a fire when early
detection is achieved.
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For additional information regarding this news release, please contact MRFD at 406-549-6172.