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Commissioners weigh third‑party probe after repeated fires start beneath powerlines near Opportunity
Summary
County officials and the Anaconda Fire Chief said multiple recent fires that threatened Opportunity began under powerlines; the commission discussed collecting eyewitness evidence and hiring an independent investigator to establish cause and pressure the utility for action.
Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County commissioners on Aug. 4 heard testimony from the county’s fire chief and CEO about a string of grass fires that county officials say started beneath powerlines near the community of Opportunity.
“It's not by the Highway, not even close, as we had the response from Northwest Energy, 'well, it could have been someone throwing a cigarette out the window',” County CEO Bill Everett said, arguing that eyewitness accounts and photographs point to electrical arcing under poles rather than human negligence. Anaconda Fire Chief Cody Tocher told the commission he had printed records of three incidents investigators deemed caused by powerlines and said dispatch logs include calls reporting arcing that dropped onto dry grass.
Chief Tocher said DNRC investigated a similar 2021 fire and that county crews only stopped this weekend’s blaze at the railroad tracks; he warned that a later start, a weekend lull in staffing, or a wind shift could have allowed flames to move into Opportunity. “If it was to go into Opportunity and houses burned down, we would be in a whole different situation,” Tocher said.
CEO Everett asked whether the county should immediately hire a third‑party investigator to provide an outside analysis; County Attorney Morgan Smith asked for time to review the details and said she had follow‑up questions for the fire chief. Commissioners discussed collecting 9‑1‑1 recordings and eyewitness statements and pressing the utility for an explanation.
The commission did not vote on a formal investigation at the meeting but agreed to pursue additional information. Commissioners said they would consider next steps after staff and the county attorney review the evidence and options for outside investigation.
