For Immediate Release

Missoula Rural Fire District Conducts Technical Rescue Along the Blackfoot River

 

June 27, 2026

Media Release
Prepared by: Battalion Chief Ron Lubke

At approximately 12:04 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, the Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) was dispatched to a report of a person who had fallen from the rocks near Mile Marker 1 on Highway 200 and landed in the Blackfoot River.

The first MRFD engine company arrived in less than five minutes and located the patient approximately 50 feet below the top of the cliffs, in an area commonly referred to as "Heaven." Firefighters made voice contact with the patient's companion, who had successfully pulled the patient from the river onto a small rock outcropping approximately 15 feet above the water.

Due to the steep, difficult terrain, firefighters determined the safest and fastest course of action was to have a firefighter/paramedic rappel to the patient's location to begin advanced medical care while additional rescue personnel responded to the Bonner Game Check area to launch a rescue boat. The boat traveled downstream to reach the patient.

Firefighter/paramedics provided advanced life support to the patient, who had sustained serious injuries in the fall. The patient was located on a narrow rock outcropping with very limited space for rescuers to work. Because of the patient's injuries and the challenges of removing the patient up the steep cliff, rescuers determined that transporting the patient by boat downstream was the quickest and safest option.

The patient was carefully loaded onto the rescue boat and transported to an extrication point near Kettle House Brewery, where firefighters carried the patient to a waiting ambulance from Missoula Emergency Services, Inc. (MESI). The patient was then transported to Providence St. Patrick Hospital for further treatment.

No additional information regarding the patient's condition is available currently.

Missoula Rural Fire District responded with two engine companies, one technical rescue unit, and one command unit. MRFD was assisted by East Missoula Rural Fire District, Missoula Emergency Services, Inc. (MESI), and the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.

The rescue operation lasted approximately two hours, from the initial dispatch until the patient was transported to the hospital. Heavy rain throughout the incident created additional challenges for rescuers and increased the complexity of the operation.

MRFD would like to remind the public to exercise caution while recreating outdoors, particularly around rivers, cliffs, and other hazardous terrain. Conditions can change rapidly, and accidents can happen unexpectedly. Always be aware of your surroundings, avoid unnecessary risks near steep drop-offs and swift water, and have an emergency plan in place before heading into the outdoors.

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For additional information regarding this incident, please contact MRFD at 406-549-6172.