KBZK

Posted: Sep 29, 2009 1:09 PM
Updated: Sep 30, 2009 8:49 AM

A controlled burn behind the Cat's Paw on North Seventh Avenue in Bozeman got out of control Tuesday afternoon, scorching about 20 acres.

Fire crews were called to the fire at around 1:00 p.m. and were able to get the fire pretty much under control by 1:45 p.m., according to Bozeman Fire Chief Jason Shrauger.

The controlled burn moved beyond its perimeter due to high winds and Shrauger said the day's red flag warning suggests doing a controlled burn was a bad idea.

Western Conservation Services was conducting the controlled burn for property owners behind the Cat's Paw bar.

But the owner of the All Valley Weed Management, Jennifer Johnson, said a burning permit was obtained for Tuesday's controlled burn and the fire department and local businesses in the area knew about it.

"It's all this weather coming in that we didn't wait till tomorrow. It's supposed to get pretty windy and cold and possibly rain or snow so we wanted to get it done before the moisture hit," Johnson said.

Johnson contracted Western Conservation Services to help perform the burn. We  received a call from Jennifer Johnson on Tuesday evening, and she disagrees with local fire officials, and maintains that the fire was never out of control.

The fire did not reach any structures, however it came very close to the building at Gallatin Valley Furniture as well as vehicles parked behind the building. Employees at the business moved the vehicles before the flames could reach them.

The manager of Gallatin Valley Furniture called Tuesday's fire a close call, adding that some smoke did enter the building.

The fire stretched from the Cat's Paw to Gallatin Valley Furniture. A U-Haul business is located between those businesses, however it was not affected by the fire.

Fire crews remained at the scene until about 2:00 in the afternoon.