Weekend structure fires caused by people

People caused two structure fires that burned near Columbia Falls on Saturday.

The most serious was on Hodgson Road where a home was significantly damaged by flames. The Columbia Falls Fire Department was dispatched at around 7:30 a.m.

“Point of origin outside of front door,” Fire Chief Rich Hagen said. “Someone cleared out the wood stove the previous night and dumped the ashes outside the front door.”

The embers eventually caught the house on fire. The front side burned and the attic area was heavily damaged. The home’s single occupant, an elderly man, was not injured.

Hagen said that the place was not livable following the fire, but the house might not be a total loss.

West Valley, Whitefish and Evergreen fire departments assisted on the call.

A second fire Saturday afternoon burned a wooden shed on North Hilltop Road. Hagen said the owner had been burning excess branches that had fallen.

“Winds came out of the west and obviously threw some sparks on top of his shed,” Hagen said.

The homeowner had a garden hose out when fire crews arrived. Columbia Falls firefighters helped put it out.

This was the latest in a string of fires around the Flathead Valley initiated by controlled burns. Fire departments are cautioning residents to be careful when doing so, especially in windy conditions.

Permits are required during May and June for debris burning in Flathead County.

To obtain a free permit, go to the Flathead Environmental Health office, visit www.firesafekalispell.com or call 752-7376.