The grass fire that broke out near Cobbler Village Terrace west of Kalispell on Wednesday consumed more than 100 bales of hay before crews extinguished it, officials say.  

The cause of the fire, which was extinguished at 7:46 p.m., Sept. 3, remains under investigation and authorities have not yet attached a price tag to the damage it caused, said Smith Valley Fire Chief Amy Beick. Along with the hay bales, two vehicles, two snowmobiles and a wood splitter were lost in the flames. 

Some hay bales continued to smolder Thursday and were being monitored by the owner of the property where the fire occurred.  

The fire spread across 1.9 acres, with flames reaching 1 to 4 feet high. Calls came in at 11:47 a.m. and Smith Valley Fire Engine 981 arrived on scene at 11:59 a.m., department officials said.  

The grass fire was between one to two acres in size and spreading at a moderate pace, igniting several bales of hay when crews arrived at the scene. Suppression efforts were limited until mutual aid units arrived because Smith Valley Fire was answering another 911 call, officials said.  

More than 40 firefighters from Smith Valley, West Valley, Somers, Evergreen and Marion fire departments responded, as did the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 

Their efforts included the use of two helicopters, which carried water from Ashley Creek across U.S. 2 to minimize the spread of the fire toward neighboring homes and commercial buildings. Firefighters also used an excavator to separate burning bales of hay while crews doused the flames with a hose.  

Water tenders and fire engines from each of the departments were deployed. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation supplied four engines and the two helicopters.   

One person was reported to have suffered minor injuries from the fire and was treated on scene.  

Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].