Wind whips up grass fire near bypass

A grass fire along the U.S. 93 bypass in Kalispell kept area firefighters busy Tuesday afternoon.

While the fire wasn’t large, brisk winds out of the west made it a challenge for members of the Smith Valley Fire Department as they battled the blaze near the Foy’s Lake roundabout.

The fire crossed the Great Northern Historical Trail and burned near a small barn on private property, but firefighters had it doused before it reached the structure.

The Kalispell Police Department was also on the scene for traffic control.

Crews were released from the scene at about 5 p.m.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker can be reached at (406) 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.