$10,000 reward offered for leads on Canyon fire

On Wednesday, May 11, my cabin was set on fire. At first, panic took over while I tried to find out if my friend and his dog were inside. I could see his truck parked where it always is when he is home.

To my relief, he answered his cell phone right away, and he and his dog were both safe. After that shock, losing material items is not as devastating. It is of course upsetting, but thankfully no one was injured.

That night, I was thinking about how much I love living in the Canyon. My husband and I moved here about four years ago, fleeing the city, and we have not looked back since. After the fire was put out, I was filled with a sense of relief knowing that we had made the right choice in moving here.

Within five minutes of my call to the fire department, the first West Glacier/Coram fire truck rolled in, closely followed by Hungry Horse, Martin City, Blankenship and Glacier Park. All of these fire departments are run by volunteers, people who will go out of their way to save their neighbors' lives and belongings without even thinking twice about it.

This group of exceptional men and women may live on your street, down the road or in your own household, but no matter what goes on in the Canyon, they are the first group of people who are going to be there for you when you are in trouble. Next time you think about helping out in your community, please consider joining these wonderful fire departments, or if you are not able to, consider sending in a greatly appreciated donation. They really do a wonderful job.

As for us, we are happily staying in the Canyon. Who would not want to live here?

We are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of either the individual who set the fire or of the individual who paid someone to do it for him. No one should ever give in to bullies. Please call the Flathead County Sheriff's Office at 758-5585 or the Great Northern Whitewater Resort office at 387-5340 with any information you may have.

Thank you to long time Canyon residents for their support and friendship. We really appreciate where we live thanks to you. We wish everyone a very productive and happy summer.

Victoria Lee lives in West Glacier.