“Frightening morning. Awakened by burnt smell at 4 am; illumination from outside bedroom window shades made it seem like daylight. Upon lifting them, we could see a wall of fire about 40 yards away headed for our home. No power. No water. Called 911. Grabbed headlight and pulled on slippers. Randy and I escaped the house sure we would never re-enter. Smoke alarm was sounding in our home as we fled. I was dressed in my pajamas only. Led horses to lower gate and secured them far from fire. Grabbed kitty, and doggies, put them in truck and Randy and I drove both our vehicles to highway through flames burning on both sides of road. Then waited for help Six rural fire departments showed up, as did Forest Service, Malmstrom Air Force Base and DNRC. Wind had changed from East to North and fire headed into mountains. Our home, garage and barn were saved.

Many thanks to friends, neighbors who showed up with coffee and sandwiches and to firefighters. Once day broke, DNRC bombed the fire with two copters filling from the river. Repeated over and over to make sure the wind would not bring the fire back. Love these pilots.

We are so lucky and so grateful to all. A 1/2 mile of burned fence and some lost trees. But nothing as to what could have been. Blessed and celebrating.”