Evergreen Fire Burns Three Homes, Male Transient in Custody

A quick-moving grass fire in the Evergreen area north of Kalispell destroyed multiple homes and caused evacuations Wednesday evening. Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry says investigators believe they know who is responsible for the blaze.

"We conducted an interview with a male transient that was in the area last night," Curry said. "We do feel that we have the point of origin and the individual that caused the fire. That investigation is still ongoing today and we may press charges today, [August 6], we are just waiting for the paperwork wrapped-up and getting it to the County Attorney's office."

Curry says the fire only grew to about six and a half acres, but caused a large amount of damage in its quick run.

"The fire broke out about 4:00 p.m. and spread very quickly through a residential area," Curry said. "There were 2 to 3 actual homes that were burned, as well as six to eight out buildings. We probably evacuated 25 to 30 homes in the area that the fire was headed to, but everyone has likely returned home at this point."

The fire was still smoldering on Thursday despite firefighters working through the night to halt the devastation.  Curry praised the quick work of the firefighters and said it was fortunate that more damage wasn't caused.

KGVO news is waiting to hear the name of the suspect and whether or not there were any deaths or injuries related to the fire.