The grass fire that broke out near Cobbler Village Terrace west of Kalispell on Wednesday consumed more than 100 bales of hay before crews extinguished it, officials say.

The cause of the fire, which was extinguished at 7:46 p.m., Sept. 3, remains under investigation and authorities have not yet attached a price tag to the damage it caused, said Smith Valley Fire Chief Amy Beick. Along with the hay bales, two vehicles, two snowmobiles and a wood splitter were lost in the flames.

Some hay bales continued to smolder Thursday and were being monitored by the owner of the property where the fire occurred.

The fire spread across 1.9 acres, with flames reaching 1 to 4 feet high. Calls came in at 11:47 a.m. and Smith Valley Fire Engine 981 arrived on scene at 11:59 a.m., department officials sa

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