Montana Highway Patrol trooper Bryce Ford's vehicle shields a car from traffic on U.S. 2 near the Kootenai rest area at the intersection of Bull Lake Road. The car was severely damaged in a fire Tuesday afternoon. Troy Volunteer Fire Department members extinguished the blaze and prevented its spread to nearby conifer trees on a steep hillside above the Kootenai River. Traffic was backed up for several miles and about one hour. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

July 26, 2024