By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre Fire Department responded to 11 different grass fires on Sunday night between 9 PM and midnight, according to the Department.
The complete list:
- 9:23 PM: 1200 block of 6th Street
- 9:40 PM: 300 block of 16th Avenue
- 10:01 PM: 800 block of 9th Street
- 10:14 PM: 1300 block of US Highway 2
- 10:33 PM: 700 block of 12th Street
- 10:48 PM: 1800 block of 1st Street
- 11:11 PM: 1900 block of US Highway 2
- 11:25 PM: 9th Street West
- 11:30 PM: 300 block of 10th Street
- 11:30 PM: 1000 block of 3rd Avenue
- 11:30 PM: 900 block of 7th Street
It is unclear if all 11 fires were started due to fireworks, as Havre Fire Chief Mel Paulson and Assistant Chief Nathan Courtnage were unavailable for comment on Monday due to it being an observed federal holiday.
One of the fires was within close proximity to the Havre Animal Shelter, forcing it to be evacuated. Thankfully, workers from the City were nearby to help put out the fire, and workers with the Shelter were already on the scene helping keep animals calm from the fireworks.
The fire by the animal shelter appears to have started just after 10 PM, with the Havre Fire and Police Departments providing assistance at around 10:15 PM, according to police and fire logs.
There are not believed to be any structures damaged or injuries caused due to the fires, but there were reports that fires did get close to buildings in residential neighborhoods.
No charges were issued by Havre Police due to discharge of fireworks as of Monday morning, according to the police log. It is unclear if the Havre Sheriff’s Office cited any local residents, as they did not release a weekend log on Monday.
More information should be available Tuesday when local officials such as the Havre Fire Chief report back to work.
Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel says that she believes there were a small handful of grass fires outside of city limits, but doesn’t believe any were major, and says no injuries are believed to have been reported and doesn’t believe any structures were damaged. She also says more information will be available on Tuesday when she reports back to work.
