Actual Claims & Photographs

Another major fire occurred in September 2000 at the Montana State University Red Bluff Animal and Range Science Station near Norris, Montana. Dry pastureland and extreme wind do not combine for good conditions when coupled with fire. Picture two wires at the top of a power pole touching due to high wind conditions, and rubbing causing an arc. A spark develops, and then another spark, and another until the sparks fall to the dry grass below. Conditions were prime for what followed.

The grass began to burn, and fire spread across the ground to a building, and then another building. The ranch manager discovered the fire soon after it developed and after calling for assistance, he tried to set up a fire line to prevent it from spreading. Three local fire departments and several wild land fire teams responded. These resources did an excellent job in controlling the fire under the wind conditions. It could have easily grown to major proportions. A little rain and water dropped from a helicopter were most helpful in suppressing the fire.

The calving barns burned, pole and wood structures. The fire got out of the corral area and spread onto pasture land and burned several hundred acres. Roughly one-third of their winter forage burned. Red Bluff is a working ranch that produces calves each year to supply the needs of all other experiment stations for calves. Rebuilding is crucial by March 2001, as they need the buildings to keep the cows and calves protected for calving.

The Montana Department of Transportation maintenance facility in Broadus employs five full-time and one part-time staff. At the site there is a small 1950's vintage building and a newer equipment storage building. During the evening hours one Friday in July, residents of Broadus were alerted to a fire. Individuals living in the neighborhood noticed heavy smoke coming from the small maintenance building at the MDT facility. They alerted the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department, who responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Fortunately the fire did not spread to other buildings.

The 50 year old building that housed the main office, a workshop area, and vehicles, was damaged beyond repair. Two GMC one-ton trucks, parked in the shop at the time, suffered severe damage to the cabs and chassis. A computer, office furniture, radios, base station, and tools were damaged, much beyond repair or cleaning. THE CULPRIT? A DRIP COFFEE POT! The investigation revealed that the coffee pot was not turned on at the time. The coffee pot was, however, plugged into an outlet as always.

On August 14, 1999, Lewistown was struck by a tornado. Yes! A tornado, in Montana! The southwest side of town where the Montana Department of Transportation's shop, the Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center, and the National Guard Armory are located was especially hard hit. Roofs and windows sustained the most damage, including vehicle glass damage. The Law Enforcement Academy and the Office of Public Instruction own trailers in this vicinity one of which was destroyed beyond recognition below. Total loss estimated at $320,000.

Before the Loss:

After the Loss

On February 8, 2000 a pipe burst at the Chancellor's home causing water to run undetected. Estimated damages of nearly $200,000 occurred as waters washed the sandy soil beneath the west wing causing it to sink.

In September of 1999, Pine Hills School in Miles City sustained water damage to the basement of the Administration building and the connecting tunnel system on the campus when a water main broke. Drying and cleaning the tunnel system and restoration of the documents were the major expenses. Contents of the Recreation Office and Sewing Room in the basement of the Administration Building were also ruined. The total loss is approaching $300,000.

During the Capitol renovation (January 2000), in the empty west wing, not yet occupied by contractors or workers, a water pipe separated and a flood ensued. While this occurred on the 2nd floor, water found its way to the basement. Some damage to the flooring occurred on 2nd floor, and documents stored in the basement were compromised. Restoration costs may reach $90,000.