Wind spreads fire near Foy's Lake

An out-of-control fire off Foy’s Lake Road in Kalispell endangered at least one home on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire torched a field and several trees before firefighters arrived from Smith Valley, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the U.S. Forest Service. Multiple engines and a Hot Shot crew were ordered, and structure protection was put in place, according to the Kalispell Interagency Dispatch Center. There was no size estimate of the blaze.

Homeowner Paul Roybal, who lives on Roybals Way, told the Inter Lake the fire may have originated from a neighbor’s burnpile.

The fire reportedly burned to within 30 feet of Roybal’s yard and less than 100 feet from his home.

The blaze was first reported at 2:30 p.m.

Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph were predicted Tuesday.