Insurance agents impacted by the Elmo Fire have collectively donated $15,000 to the Chief Cliff Fire Department to help offset costs and help buy needed supplies.
State Farm Agent Matt Downing came up with the idea.
The cost of a large fire can be overwhelming for fire departments that are already stretched thin.
Earlier, the department asked for donations to help feed and support firefighters in the front lines battling the Elmo Fire.
The Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department serves the Dayton, Proctor, Elmo and the Lake Mary Ronan areas, and all points west to the Flathead County line. It just held its annual Dayton Daze fundraiser on Sept. 10.
State Farm agents in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties leveraged community funds, grants, and gave personal donations to raise the $15,000 sum.