Libby firefighters knock down two blazes

Photo courtesy of Karen Stickney.

Libby area firefighters were busy last week battling two serious blazes and responding to a number of smaller calls.

In a Tuesday, Aug. 1, incident Libby firefighters were called to the scene of a truck fire on U.S. Highway 2. The blaze consumed the truck’s trailer and cargo and spread to the nearby forest through dry grass on the side of the highway.

Deputy chief Steve Lauer said one of the trailer’s wheels locked up and the resulting friction generated enough heat to ignite the trailer. A paving machine and backhoe being transported on the trailer were completely destroyed, but no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the grass fire  before it spread beyond control.

The second incident occurred the following day. Lincoln County dispatch  at 2:48 p.m. and crews responded immediately. Despite the rapid response, however, Lauer said the structure was a total loss. He said no serious injuries were reported as a result of the fire, but the family pet was killed.

According to Lauer, the fire was caused by improperly disposed of smoking materials. He urged people to exercise extreme caution due to current weather and fire danger conditions.

“We are in Stage II fire restrictions,” Lauer said. “We’re asking people to be extremely careful with any smoking materials or open flames.”