Whitehall Department Responds to 4 Fires

It was a busy week for the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Chief Jeremy Ward, the department responded to four fires, the first a truck fire Wednesday morning on Homestake Pass.

Ward reported the department was called out at 8:48 a.m. to a truck fire on the westbound lane of Interstate 80.

Melissa Jenkins with the Whitehall Ledger was traveling to Anaconda to pick up the newspaper from the printer when she saw smoke and pulled over when she realized it was coming from a truck. Jenkins said the driver was attempting to put out the fire with a small fire extinguisher but stopped when law enforcement arrived.

The Whitehall department reported a truck hauling a boat caught fire and they left the scene at 11:38 a.m.

The Montana Department of Transportation reported the vehicle fire caused total blockage on the westbound lanes. The Butte Silver Bow Department also responded on a mutual aid call.

The department also responded to a garage fire at 225 N. Jefferson Saturday night. Ward said they were called out at 11:20 p.m. and were on scene until 2:55 a.m. A total of three fire trucks, seven firefighters, and Jefferson Valley Ambulance were on scene. Ward said the garage was a total loss and while the cause is undetermined, it may have been caused by fireworks.

The department was also called out Sunday to two grass fires caused by lighting on Golden Sunlight Mine property. He said they were on the scene for 6:43 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. One fire was reported at four acres and the other at 1/10th of an acre. Ward said three Whitehall Trucks and five firefighters responded to the fires. He said mine personnel and one truck from the Bull Mountain Fire Department also responded to the call.

With the Fourth of July Thursday, Ward also wanted to remind local residents to use precaution and to be safe when lighting off fireworks. Ward stressed the importance of being aware of conditions, adding just because it may look really green, does not mean it is not dry. He also asked residents to make sure that fireworks are completely out and to not immediately put them in trash cans.

With the busy season arriving for the department, Ward said they are in need of volunteers. For more information about joining the department, please email wvfire@gmail.com or call 406-565-6380.