Fire officials on the lookout for arsonist in Libby

Area fire officials, including local, state and federal authorities, are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying an arsonist or arsonists they believe to be responsible for several fires in the Libby area. Officials say more than 20 arson fires have been set in the area since 2014.

“Since the middle of May of this year, the Libby Fire Department, along with state and federal wildland response agencies have responded to at least eight interntionally set wildfires in the Libby area,” first assistant chief Steve Lauer said Wednesday. “In 2014, fire agencies suppressed approximately 15 fires that were also classified as arson fires.”

The quick response of fire agencies has prevented any of this year’s blazes from causing significant damage, although each has had the potential for serious harm. The fires, Lauer said, were set during daylight hours and in populated areas near public roadways.

“All the fires have been set directly along roadways open to the public. The fires discovered so far have been contained to a half-acre or less,” he said. “The fires have been set in Bobtail, Pipe Creek, Granite Lake Road and Woodway Park areas and times have been from 8 a.m. to early afternoon. All of these fires have had the potential to extend into residential areas if not discovered in the early stages of the fire.”

Three other fires, also categorized as arson, were reported earlier this year, but not in wildland areas. The fires were set in portable outhouses in J. Neils Park and on the old Stimson Mill property. Lauer said he is unsure if the fires are connected, but all of the fires were intentionally set. He said anyone with information or who witnesses any suspicious or unusual activity should report it immediately to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.