People may see smoke from CFAC

Now that the August auction items have been removed and both Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions are lifted, Calbag Resources is adjusting its demolition activities at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant, Cliff Boyd, director of asset recovery said last week.

The restrictions were a "challenge" as the burning crews had to stop using torches outside, Boyd said.

Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell asked Boyd to "be respectful" of the new freedom because there is still fire danger after the hot, dry summer during a meeting last week.

"We're uber sensitive," Boyd said.

"I think they've done a great job," Columbia Falls Fire Chief Rick Hagen said.

People may see smoke coming from the plant in the morning due to cutting aluminum on the pot lines. Boyd warned that it will look worse as the weather cools, but it should dissipate around 11 a.m. as the air warms. The company has completed five out of the 10 lines, Boyd expects it will be done by March.

The company applied for its next permit with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality that will "allow them to go into cell linings," he said. They have clears from the DEQ in six structures.

"We were given 100 percent approval rating from DEQ," Boyd said.

Calbag is recycling 200 tons of concrete that will be used as "suitable structural fill" for later in the demo process, Boyd said. Rebar from the concrete will be sent to a steel mill.

At this point in the demolition, Calbag is using 23 workers from Kalispell or with a zip code of 59912, he said. The company brought in 35 employees. The payroll for local entities is $175,000 per month and other local expenses such as fuel, food, hotel fees and rent is $95,000.

The United Way of Northwest Montana will be the recipient of the boxes of the unused sleeping bags, pillows, pillowcases and cots that Calbag found after the auction. The company offered to transport the six boxes, measuring four by four by eight foot, to wherever the United Way wants them.