Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Fire in motor at Stoltze mill quickly doused

CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months AGO
by CHRIS PETERSON
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | August 19, 2025 6:30 AM

Columbia Falls firefighters quickly knocked down a fire at the F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber mill in Columbia Falls late Monday evening.

Columbia Falls Capt. Shawn Loughery said the fire was in a motor that ran a conveyor belt at the mill. It was a couple stories up so the department cut the power and cooled off the motor using its ladder truck. 

There were no injuries and damage was minimal. They also dumped out a hopper and doused the chips with water just in case an ember had fallen in it. 

Firefighters were off the scene shortly after 1 a.m. There were no injuries. 

Bad Rock, Whitefish, Three Rivers Ambulance and Evergreen all responded with mutual aid. 


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