Monday, April 20, 2026
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Fire destroys Evergreen home; 2 cats rescued

MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 3 months AGO
by MATT BALDWIN
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | December 21, 2023 7:00 AM

No one was injured in a structure fire Wednesday afternoon that destroyed a home in Evergreen.

Crews were dispatched at about 3:15 p.m. for a structure fire on the 1100 block of Whitefish Stage Road. According to Evergreen Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Ben Covington, both occupants of the trailer home were outside when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters with Creston Fire were able to rescue two cats found hiding inside the burning home. Covington said the cats were provided oxygen with a special animal rescue mask and returned to their owners.

Firefighters had the blaze under control within an hour following an initial exterior attack. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Covington said.

Crews from Kalispell, Smith Valley and Columbia Falls also responded.

Covington reminds residents to check their home’s smoke alarms and to have an escape plan if a fire does occur.

    Firefighters respond to a structure fire off Whitefish Stage Road in Evergreen on Wednesday, Dec. 20. (Evergreen Fire Rescue photo)
 
 


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