For those of you that dont know...Missoula is the home of the University of Montana (GO GRIZZLIES!!) and the home of Real Estate Client Referrals (www.recr.com). Many years ago, the University wanted to preserve some 'green space' behind the campus and purchased Mount Sentinel from the federal government and turned it into a nature preserve. The mountain has been relatively untouched ever since.
Last Wednesday around 7pm, the University of Montana residents that live in the University Villages at the base of Mount Sentinel were treated to a spectacular show. It was about that time that two little kids -- age 8 and 7 -- decided to go into the long grass at the base of the hill with a phone book and a stolen lighter and play with fire. The burning pages quickly sparked a wildfire that raced up the hillside and quickly charred a total of aroun 450 acres. The fire was put out by Federal, State, and local fire departments before any structures could be harmed and before the fire went over the top of the mountain and took off through the timber on the back side of the mountain.
Local professional photographer Chad Harder whipped out his camera and started taking pictures...These are the ones that are by far the best of the bunch. You can see how impressive this small fire was and how close it came to racing through the town as well as the mountians behind Mt. Sentinel.
WOW, your not kidding! Awesome pictures...as sad as it is!
Cheron Lange
Cheron -- Yes, it was quite the show...I spent the evening sitting on my porch drinking beer and wathcing the helicopters drop buckets of water on it...Im just glad they caught it before it got really out of hand.
Amazing the power of mother nature! I just hope residents can stay safe and there is as little property damage as possible. We need rain!
Raylene -- Yes, she is a very powerful being, she is...Luckily, there was no structure damage and no injuries. And, yes!! We need rain badly!
Amazing pictures. Those kids are very fortunate that they didn't cause any deaths.
Heath -- Yeah, the pics are wonderful. The kids have been cited for causing the fire and are due to appear in juvenile court with thier parents next week. Also, since this fire required state and federal assistance, the parents are liable for the suppression costs!!! Thats one big bill...
Oh my word. What can I possibly say besides, "WOW!"
Carolyn -- Yeah, thats what I was thinking..LOL! BTW -- I tried to call you, but you were out of the office. :-) Im making an effort to start talkin to all my peeps....Yes, you are included. :-) I got Leesa's voicemail too! LOL
Wow - I thought these were photoshopped until I read the comments - amazing! Glad it didn't get out of control!
Leesa -- LOL! Nope, no photoshop involved. Chad is an amazing photographer and the pics he took are fantastic. The middle one is even a time lapse pic...You can tell that by the way the stars seem to slide...Pretty cool
Clint...
Whoo-hoo you were right, these are some awesome photos. I'm glad that the fire was controlled quickly, but in the meantime it was something to see, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Richard -- I thought you would like those. Yeah, it was quite the show.
Hi Clint, Magnificient scenes!! Its so amazing. Glad it was totally in control. Keep sharing all your experience like this. looking forward to it in future.
Best - Sash
Sash -- Yes they are, arent they? It was quite the buzz around our little town...lol. And, yes...as I come across more, I will keep everyone informed.
Clint - awesome pictures, it sounds like the two kids are safe, thankfully.
Mike -- Yeah, those pics are amazing. And yes, the kids are safe...in a heap of trouble, but safe.
Those are truly spectacular photos. Those kids did some real damage.
Barbara -- Yes...they are! And, yes...they did. Im just glad the fire was stopped when it was. If this happened in August, that entire hillside and everything on all sides of it would have gone up like a tinderbox.
Whoa....I'm glad they were able to get the fire stopped before it destroyed any homes or buildings. The pictures are awesome and I can see why it would have been a "show." Living in a University town myself, I find myself imagining what it would be like if some of the A&M property caught fire....I'm glad that no one was hurt.
Sondra -- Yeah, me too! Living is a U town is fun...but, when things like this happen, it doesnt matter where you live....Its scary!
Wow Clint - Amazing Pictures!
Kevin and Monica -- Hi!!! Nice to hear from you guys again. Yeah...those are pretty amazing, arent they...it was quite the light show.