Fire destroys barn, threatens Big Arm house

By Andrew Fish / Leader Staff

A fire on Monday destroyed a barn near Walking Horse Lane near Big Arm and if not for the quick response of the crew at the Big Arm fire station, it would have likely taken a home with it.According to Polson fire chief John Fairchild, the fire started between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday. According to the first people on the scene, the fire appeared to have started in the remains of a trash fire nearby. The first unit on scene was from the Big Arm fire station a few miles away. Fairchild said that the first lieutenant that arrived made a quick assessment: the barn could not be saved and that the best course of action was to go into a defensive posture in order to save the residence. At that point, radiant heat from the fire had burned grass across the road in front of the home and deeply charred the rail fence. "Another four minutes, five at most, and the house would have started," said Fairchild. "It was unfortunate that we couldn't save the barn, but the biggest thing I'm thankful for is that the guys went into a defensive mode to save the house."Conditions were working against the firefighters as they worked to contain the blaze. It was hot, with 17-percent relative humidity and 5 to 10 mile per hour winds blowing out of the southwest in a northerly direction towards the house. Fairchild was very pleased with the actions of all the crews and credits their quick thinking and excellent training with making the difference in this case. "Awesome response," Fairchild said of all the firefighters responding. "I'm really thankful for the folks that I have. They do an amazing job."In addition to the various units from the Polson Rural Fire District, Tribal Division of Fire and Ronan units also responded, playing a part in the house-saving action. Fairchild said that the other agencies were especially critical because there was another fire in the area. The other fire was a hay field fire that burned a few acres. The relationship among the various agencies is especially crucial during fire season. "This time of year our great working relationship with the Division and Ronan is paramount," said Fairchild.Overall, the fighting of the fire went very smoothly. Two firefighters received minor burns when they were spraying water on a still smoldering minivan. Part of the minivan contained the metal magnesium. Fairchild said that when magnesium is heated and then exposed to water, it reacts explosively. In this case it sent molten particles flying and thick white smoke billowing. Despite this violent explosion, the firefighters suffered relatively minor burns which Fairchild credits to their training. "They're trained to keep their face masks down and they did," said Fairchild. "If they hadn't had the shields down, they would have received serious burns and maybe been blinded by the explosion."The barn was owned by Ron and Phyllis Caldbeck of Big Arm and was estimated to be nearly 15 years old at the time it was destroyed.They've lived on the property for 30 years and said it was the second time fire has destroyed a structure on the property.The previous structure was a trailer home that was destroyed several years ago. Fairchild said the damages to the structure and property are around $115,000, not including the value of two vehicles that were destroyed by the blaze. The Caldbecks are extremely grateful to the men and women of the various fire departments for their quick and decisive response. "If they hadn't come so quickly there wouldn't be a house," said a thankful Mr. Caldbeck.Fairchild said this is the first structure fire of the season and highlights the need for awareness. "It's hot and it's dry," reminds Fairchild. "Everybody needs to take extra precautions."