A large grass fire south of Kalispell came within inches of some houses Thursday afternoon before crews stopped the flames from spreading.

The fire burned 6.1 acres near the end of Shelter Ridge Road where it makes a sharp turn. Most of the hillside was charred or smoldering by midafternoon.

South Kalispell Fire Chief Chris Yerkes said the fire was caused by a property owner whose controlled burn broke loose.

South Kalispell received the initial call, but at least four other departments joined in the firefighting effort. Firefighters moved throughout the area with hoses and shovels, looking for trouble spots after the main fire had been put out.

The response included the West Valley, Smith Valley, Somers-Lakeside and Evergreen fire departments.

Gordon Sheldon with South Kalispell Fire walked along the edge of the fire on the upper slope, checking boundaries along houses. The fire had started lower down and wind pushed it up the hill. He said that the road was a main factor in stopped the spread and pointed at rock piles behind some houses that helped protect the property.

The fire ran right up to the back sides of some homes on the upper ridge. Sheldon pointed at a patch of dry, crunchy grass that led up to a corral where a horse fed. Grass was burned right up to the fence at some spots. At another spot, trees that touched a wooden deck stood next to trees that were black and charred.

It was a close call for some properties, but Sheldon said that things were well under control. No structures were damaged.

“Got within inches of some and within feet of others,” Yerkes said.