Arson investigation underway

LAKE COUNTY — A string of suspicious fires has captured the attention of Lake County law enforcement. Lake County Sheriff’s detectives are working alongside search and rescue mantracker units, Flathead Tribal Police, St. Ignatius Police and the Montana Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate eight unexplained fires in the Pablo and St. Ignatius areas.

The targeted incidents include five structure fires, two vehicle fires and one ditch fire. All have been ruled suspicious in nature, the most recent taking place Tuesday, June 5 when a small abandoned cabin located east of St. Ignatius went up in flames.

“It started to get my attention about a month ago,” Undersheriff Dan Yonkin said. “We were seeing a number of these things, and while one or two fires without an explained cause isn’t necessarily a huge red flag, when you have so many in concentrated areas, it tends to get more attention.”

The investigation will focus on unexplained fires dating back to the first of the year, but as investigators develop additional leads, that time frame may expand further, Yonkin said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Lake County Crimestoppers at 406-883-7309. Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward.

“We have gotten some helpful information already, you just never know what you’ll get until you put that out there,” Yonkin said. “People might not realize they have helpful information until they are asked for it.”