The Weyerhaeuser Medium Density Fiberboard plant suffered a fire and explosion in one of the line sanders and bag houses on Saturday, April 4.

No one was injured in the fire, said Columbia Falls Fire Chief Karl Weeks. The call came out at 6:40 a.m. and the first firefighters arrived 11 minutes later. Columbia Falls, Bad Rock, Evergreen, Whitefish and Hungry Horse-Martin City all responded with mutual aid.

Firefighters didn’t get off the scene until 2:46 p.m., Weeks said. 

Having said that, the plant did not have significant damage, though a pall of smoke hung over it most of the morning.

“The majority of the mill was unaffected by the incident and operations resumed today (Monday),” Weyerhaeuser spokeswoman Kyleigh Gill said in a statement to the Hungry Horse News. “We appreciate the ongoing support of local first responders and firefighters and are grateful for their assistance at the scene.”