Blog - Missoula Public Health

Floods

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common disaster in the United States and happen in Montana. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods may result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows of dams […]

Outdoor Burning Opens March 1 in Missoula County

March is here, and that means outdoor burning opens in Missoula County. The General, Essential Agriculture, and Prescribed Wildland Outdoor Burning Seasons open on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Missoula County. If you are planning to burn any natural vegetation or untreated wood from your property, you must purchase an outdoor burn permit and activate […]

Missoula Public Health to Host Free Documentary Film Screening Highlighting HPV Epidemic

Missoula Public Health (MPH) invites the public to attend a free screening of the film “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic” on Wednesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. at the Roxy Theater in Missoula. According to the CDC, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers and many cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, […]

Missoula Public Health to Host Documentary Screening Encouraging Elementary Students’ Safety in Digital Age

Screens are everywhere, and for parents of young children, figuring out healthy limits can feel overwhelming. Missoula Public Health is teaming up with Hellgate Elementary School District to host a free showing of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition” on Thursday, Feb. 26, to spread awareness about youth mental health and safety in the digital age. […]

Outdoor Burning Remains Closed in Missoula County

The following was sent by the Missoula County Fire Protection Association: Outdoor burning in Missoula County is still closed. The Prescribed Wildland burning season ended on November 30; the Essential Agriculture burning season ended on October 31, and the General burning season ended August 31. All outdoor burning seasons will open on March 1, 2026, […]

Public Health Officials Warn Measles Exposure in Missoula County

Montana public health officials are continuing to combat the first measles outbreak in the state in 35 years. Missoula Public Health (MPH) was notified that a person infected with measles visited Missoula on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. No positive cases of measles have been confirmed in Missoula County at this time. MPH is aware of […]

Health Officials Confirm Influenza Death in Missoula County

Missoula Public Health (MPH) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirmed an influenza death in Missoula County. This is the first death in Montana for the 2025-2026 influenza season. Health officials send their condolences to the family and loved ones. This season, there have been 234 reported cases of influenza, […]

Avalanches

An avalanche is a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees. When an avalanche stops, the snow becomes solid like concrete and people are unable to dig out. People caught in avalanches can die from suffocation, trauma, or hypothermia. Avalanches can be caused by people, […]

Missoula Animal Services to Celebrate Shelter Remodel with Free Open House

Missoula Animal Services invites the public to an open house and adoption event on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate their newly remodeled building at 6700 Butler Creek Road. Attendees will get to tour the new space, meet adorable, adoptable cats and dogs, enjoy free food, play games, and enter for […]

Missoula Public Health Highlights Resources Ahead of Great American Smokeout

Missoula Public Health encourages residents to take advantage of free resources to quit using tobacco ahead of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 20. The Great American Smokeout is the American Cancer Society’s annual awareness event that encourages tobacco and nicotine users to take action and quit for one day, taking the first step […]