A grass fire destroyed at least two homes and multiple outbuildings in an Evergreen neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire started shortly after 4 p.m. along Mountain View Drive and forced the evacuation of numerous homes in the surrounding area as firefighters frantically tried to get the blaze under control.
“Everything was in flames,” said Diana Zahller, who lives across the street from where the fire ran across a dry field. “I thought my brother’s house was toast.”
Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams said that the fire was about 3 acres in size. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Strong afternoon winds pushed the fire across a dry field, helping it spread to numerous outbuildings and garages. At least three vehicles were destroyed at one residence.
While firefighters battled the blaze from the ground, two helicopters were dropping water from the Flathead River. Firefighters from Evergreen, Kalispell, South Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Somers, Creston, West Valley, Smith Valley, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and U.S. Forest Service were brought in.
East Reserve Drive was closed for traffic and emergency officials were asking people to avoid the area.
It’s unknown if anyone was injured in the fire.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.