During the course of a chainsaw tree-thinning operation on Swede Mountain this past weekend, U.S. Forest Service personnel saw their efforts come to a halt – and not because of bad weather or malfuctioning equipment.

Late on Sunday afternoon in a ravine near Williams Creek, the crew came across a pipe bomb.

“You look at them and have every reason to believe it’s live,” Lincoln County detective Jim Sweet said. “They’re so highly dangerous when they throw them in a ditch like that. If anybody had been near it (if exploded) it could’ve been lethal.”

The bomb was indeed live and by its weathered appearance, could’ve been sitting in that spot for some time. Sweet said the Forest Service crew knew right away what they had found and reported its location.

Through an agreement with Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, a bomb disposal unit was called in to take care of the device. Not long after arriving on Monday, the unit cleared the scene and soon thereafter exploded the bomb.

Crimestoppers

Law-enforcement officials are seeking help on the Swede Mountain pipe bomb case. Lincoln County Crimestoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and arraigment for those responsible.

For those with information, call 293-STOP. Collect calls are accepted.