Fire damages RBM lumber

But firefighters' quick response saves mill

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

A morning fire destroyed a kiln at RBM Lumber in Columbia Falls Tuesday, but firefighters are credited for keeping the blaze from spreading further, as it could have destroyed the entire mill.

The fire started about 7:30 a.m., explained Bad Rock Fire Chief Rick Hagen. He said in the course of the investigation and in talking to the owners, the kiln is run by a boiler that burns sawdust. The furnace has a door to check the fire and firefighters suspect that sparks may have blown out and started the building on fire when someone checked the boiler.

The boiler, in turn, heats water which runs through tubes and dries wood in the kiln. The dry wood inside caught on fire, creating a large blaze.

The company estimated the damage is about $150,000, Hagen said.

Firefighters from Bad Rock, Columbia Falls as well as tenders from Creston and Martin City responded to the fire. No one was injured, but Three Rivers Ambulance was on standby at the scene. All told, about 25 firefighters battled the blaze. The fire was contained in about 20 minutes, Hagen said.

Bad Rock had two pumpers and two tenders, Columbia Falls had a pumper and a tender, Creston brought a tender and Martin City did too.

Also on the scene was Ed Burlingame, a fire safety instructor for the state. He acted as the fire safety officer for the blaze.

The fire could have been much worse. There were two other kilns next to the fire as well as the main mill. All of the other buildings were saved.

RBM is owned by Roy, Ben and Evelyn Thompson. It's been in business for about 30 years. Located just off Highway 206 in Columbia Heights, the mill makes hundreds of specialty value-added wood products, such as paneling, counter tops and wood flooring.

The fire will slow some of the operation's drying capability but the mill will still be able to make products and serve its customers, said salesman Kelly West.