Clark’s Fork Rural Fire District #2/ Bridger Fire

10/09/2026

Hands on, live fire training is extremely beneficial. Thank you Fromberg Volunteer Fire Department amd Belfry Volunteer Fire Department for coming and playing with us!

10/05/2026

Thank you Bridger Public Schools for hosting CFRFD #2 and the Forest Service, with Smokey the Bear, for Fire Prevention Week.

Below are some items the K-4 students learned today.
Fire needs (3) things; Fuel, oxygen, and heat.

Actionable Emergency Responses:

• Stop, Drop, and Roll: Practice what to do if clothing catches fire—stop moving, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over until the fire is out.

• Stay Low and Go: Smoke rises and is filled with dangerous gases. Teach kids to get on their hands and knees and crawl under the smoke to the nearest exit.

• Feel the Door: Teach students to use the back of their hand to test a door for heat before opening it in a fire.

• Get Out and Stay Out: Emphasize that once they are outside, they must go to their family meeting place and never go back inside a burning building for pets, toys, or anything else.

• Don't Hide: Remind young children that they should never hide under beds or in closets if a smoke alarm sounds, even if they are scared. Firefighters need to find them easily.

Questions the Students should Ask Their Parents - Home Safety Checklists:

• Smoke Alarms: Teach kids to recognize the loud beep of a smoke detector and remind their families to test alarms every month.

• Home Escape Planning: Help students map out two ways out of every room in their home and pick a safe outdoor meeting place.

09/28/2026

CFRFD completed another successful annual pump test on the HME Type 1 engine. These pump tests not only ensure everything will work when there is an emergency but also helps maintain/improve our ISO rating, which can help lower home insurance premiums.

One of the many things each department has to do.
For those interested, below is a high-level break down of what is performed during a typical pump test.

Vacuum Test: Engage the primer until the vacuum gauge reads 22 inches of mercury; the pump must not drop more than 10 inches over a 5-minute period.

Timed Primer Test: Lift water to the pump; must achieve a prime within 30 seconds for pumps rated under 1,250 GPM, or 45 seconds for 1,500+ GPM.100%

Capacity Test: Run the pump for 20 minutes at 100% of its rated capacity at a net pressure of 150 PSI, monitoring engine tachometer, discharge, and nozzle pressures.70% and 50%

Capacity Tests: Adjust hose layouts or tips to run 10 minutes at 70% capacity (typically at 200 PSI) and 10 minutes at 50% capacity (typically at 250 PSI).

Overload Test: For pumps rated at 750 GPM or higher, run at 100% capacity at 165 PSI net pressure for an extra 5 to 10 minutes immediately following the main flow test.

Pressure Relief / Control Test: Test pressure control systems by adjusting throttles and verifying that pressure spikes do not exceed 30 PSI when lines are shut down

09/20/2026

Last night at 21:06, CFRFD was paged to a vehicle fire in Bridger Canyon.

A service truck was pulling the original Clarks Fork Rural Fire engine from the 1950s when the service truck caught fire. Our newest Clarks Fork Rural engine responded to help protect and save this incredible piece of our department’s history.

There’s something surreal about standing there and realizing that this old engine was once used by my grandfather and so many others’ grandparents—and now, decades later, I’m responding alongside this generation to help save it with our modern engine.

It’s more than just an old fire truck. It’s a piece of our history, a reminder of the generations who came before us, and a connection between where this department started and where we are today.

Last night, the past and present came together on the same fireground. ❤️‍🔥

09/17/2026

Over the past two days Clark’s Fork Fire has been helping search and recover a 13yo boy. These are not easy calls. Our hearts and condolences go out to the family as they start their healing process.

Thank you 45 North Bar & Grill for the help in feeding dozens of first responders.

Search and rescue crews are searching the Clark’s Fork River just south of Fromberg Wednesday night for a 13-year-old boy who went missing while recreating on the river.

09/17/2026

9/17 1400 Update: Shortly before 2pm, Ephraim was located underwater using specialized underwater technology. He was brought to shore, where he was officially pronounced deceased. Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this very difficult time.

9/17 1000 Update: Regional resources are on scene this morning to assist local responders on the search for Ephraim. Please continue to keep the family, community, and responders in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. It is also greatly appreciated if you can avoid the Lower River Road area of Fromberg so responders can navigate the area safely. Thank you.

2300 Update: Emergency responders are still searching the river area. Search efforts will be scaled back later tonight, but will resume in the morning. We have had a large response of responders on scene, and will bring in additional agencies and personnel as the search continues.

We would like to thank all of those who have provided support for Ephraim and his family. Responding agencies: Fromberg Volunteer Fire Dept., Edgar Volunteer Fire Dept., Bridger Volunteer Fire Dept., Clarks Fork Valley EMS, Red Lodge Fire-Rescue, Laurel Fire Dept., Bridger Police Dept., Red Lodge Police K9, Yellowstone Co. Sheriff's Office, Stillwater Co. Sheriff's Office, and US Water Rescue. A special thanks to Carbon Co. OEM (Office of Emergency Management), NorthWestern Energy, 45 North Cafe and Cotters for their logistical assistance. A big shout out and thanks to our community members and those who showed up from throughout the area to help with search efforts.

***Missing Person - Juvenile*** Multiple emergency responders are searching the Clark's Fork River area just South of Fromberg for a juvenile male who went missing while recreating the river. The male, identified as Ephraim is described as a 13 year old last seen wearing a black t-shirt and pink dinosaur shorts.

WE ARE ASKING PUBLIC TO STAY AWAY FROM THE RIVER at this time, we have multiple rescue members in the water, as well as water craft and other assets.

WE ARE ASKING PUBLIC TO NOT FLY DRONES near the river as we have emergency drones working as well as Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office - AIR 1 helicopter. We can not perform rescue scouting with our drones/aircraft if civilian drones are nearby.

If you would like to help at this time, please reach out to younger children in the area to see if they've heard from Ephraim. You can also walk / drive the streets in the town of Fromberg in attempt to locate him. If you find him, please call 9-1-1.

We appreciate you efforts, and as more info becomes available we will update you. Thank you-

09/16/2026

THANK YOU Valley Foods for years of support to our communities and our volunteer departments. Much deserved! 😎

Fromberg Volunteer Fire Department
Belfry Volunteer Fire Department
Clarks Fork Valley EMS

09/11/2026

As a volunteer fire department in a small rural Montana community, September 11 carries a weight that is difficult to put into words.

Our department is made up of neighbors. Farmers, ranchers, parents, business owners, and people who have regular jobs and busy lives—but when the tones drop, we leave whatever we are doing and respond. We don’t always know what we’re driving into. We just know someone needs help.

Twenty-five years ago today, 343 firefighters made that same decision. They heard the call, put on their gear, and ran toward danger. Many of them knew they were putting themselves at risk, but they went anyway. They went because that’s what firefighters do.

They didn’t know the people they were going to save. They didn’t know what the next few minutes would bring. They simply answered the call.

As a firefighter we are family, one of the greatest responsibilities we carry is knowing that the men and women who stand beside us are willing to put themselves in harm’s way for someone else. They are our friends, our neighbors, and people we care deeply about. We don’t take that responsibility lightly.

So today, we all remember the 343 firefighters who never came home. We remember the law enforcement officers, EMS providers, military members, and civilians who lost their lives. We remember the families who woke up that morning and never imagined their lives would be changed forever.

And we remember the thousands of first responders who continued answering calls in the days, months, and years that followed.

From our little corner of rural Montana, we stand with the fire service family across this country.

We remember their courage.
We honor their sacrifice.
And we will never forget.

🇺🇸 September 11, 2001 — Forever in our hearts.

09/09/2026

At 10:14 Bridger Fire (CFRVFD) was paged to a fire in the Pryor Mountains. Units are on scene from Bridger and Big Horn County with Forest Service jumpers in route. Fires like these may appear smaller, but with plentiful dry fuels surrounding it, can grow rapidly in size.

08/25/2026

Yesterday we responded to multiple fires South of Bridger on HWY310 near MM14. This is a good reminder, if you’re pulling a trailer to ensure chains are secured properly and your tires are in good condition. Fires were contained at a combined 8.5acres. Thank you Red lodge, Fromberg Volunteer Fire Department Belfry Volunteer Fire Department Laurel, Deaver-Frannie, BLM, DNRC for the MA support.