Heart Butte Fire Department building vandalized, engines damaged and out of service

The Blackfeet Fire Rescue announced late Sunday night that someone broke into the Heart Butte Fire Department building and vandalized fire engines and various other equipment.

"Yesterday, August 8, when a firefighter arrived at the fire hall to assist with traffic control and participate in the parade, we discovered that the rear door of the hall had been kicked in. What we found inside was devastating," the Blackfeet Fire Rescue, based in Browning, announced on social media.

Pictures showed doors open on a fire engine and gear strewn about inside the building. There were boxes thrown around and cupboards open. It looked like someone haphazardly ransacked the place.

"Our engines were damaged and will be out of service until we can determine what repairs are needed and find the financial resources and manpower to complete them," the post continued. "This could not have happened at a worse time, as we are in the middle of wildland fire season and need to be fully operational."

The Missoulian was unable to reach someone on the phone at the department on Monday.

But the lengthy post went on to say that the department operates on a thin budget.

"Heart Butte Fire Department receives only $10,000 annually from the Blackfeet Tribe," the post said. "We do not receive county funding or private funding. That limited budget is primarily used to keep the fire hall functioning. Browning assists with many equipment and mechanical repairs and replacements, despite having an annual budget of only approximately $40,000 themselves. We, as Blackfeet Fire Rescue, have worked diligently for years to keep these departments alive, operational, and available to the communities we serve. We carry an extremely high call volume compared with many volunteer fire departments across Montana."

They are asking for information from anyone who may know something about the incident.