Community comes together after fire levels barn

BONNERS FERRY — Living in and around a tight knit community like Boundary County, residents going through hardships only need to ask, and the community members come together to provide help of many kinds collectively. That community help knows no boundaries.

Larry and Kathy Humberg recently experienced the tragedy of a fire, just outside of Boundary County, in Montana. On Feb. 27, the Humbergs had a mostly normal evening. Kathy Humberg’s son had been staying in an apartment addition in the barn and storage building, on their property. He was away for a few days, and had a friend look after the place in his absence. At a point on that fateful night, the caretaker left the premises, and narrowly missed a fire breaking out, which then burned the building to ashes.

The Humbergs lost more in the fire than merely the building which they had spent lots of time and money on. They lost memorabilia, tools, and the means to care for their horses. The outbuilding housed not only the apartment containing all of their son’s things, but there was a tack room, hay storage, tool and other equipment storage, as well as an arena.

Fires of all kinds are devastating, especially those that happen at home, as the residents accumulate momentos and things that they use in day to day life.

A neighbor of the Humbergs saw the fire and ran across the snow and ice in her pajamas to bang on their door and inform them of the tragedy. Due to her actions, the Humbergs were able to save their tractor, military mule, and a few tools.

In the aftermath of the devastating fire, members of the community, both in Lincoln and Boundary counties, stepped up to help the Humbergs in any way they could, whether or not they knew the family.

All of the hay and tack for their horses was destroyed in the midst of the tragedy, but surrounding community members stepped up and helped when and where they were able.

Brian Morter received a call from a family friend of the Humbergs asking about purchasing some hay to support the family in need. Morter had heard about the fire, and made the decision to donate a couple tons of hay to them free of charge.

“Helping a neighbor in need, even a neighbor you have never met, fulfills a sense of duty that we all have for our neighbors,” said Morter. “I have witnessed this community pour out it’s support to its members in time of need over and over. I am proud to be a part of it and to do my part in it.”

Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, stepped in to assist by hauling hay from the Copeland area and delivering it to the Humbergs in the neighboring county.

“This is what Boundary County is all about, I didn’t do anything special, it is what neighbors should do, if there is a need, and we are able to help, we should,” said Kramer. “I am just thankful to live in Boundary County where so many people come together to help others during a time of need. We have a community like nowhere else, and I am extremely proud to live in Boundary County.”

Daughter Mandi Bateman posted on Facebook about the family’s tragedy and asked the community for assistance. The outpouring of support that the community provided exceeded, not only her expectations, but her father and step-mother’s as well.

“It’s hard for me to describe how we feel about the support,” said Kathy Humberg as she held back tears. “The support makes it all bearable.”

After viewing Bateman’s post on Facebook, Sandy Steinhagen and her family stepped in to lend aid right away, by providing about four days worth of hay for the Humberg’s horses. With the aid of Tony Jeppeson, who hauled the hay to the Humberg’s, they were able to lend immediate assistance to the grieving family and their animals.

“We help in every way we can in our community because it makes us feel good. It’s always great to see the community come together to help one of our own,” said Steinhagen.

Jeppeson, the Vice Commander of Boundary Search and Dive Rescue Team, returned another day to deliver donated hay.

On the evening of the day of the fire, Bateman (editor of the Bonners Ferry Herald) called Ron McIlnay of Boundary County, who has dedicated his time to helping veterans in need, since her father was a Coast Guard veteran.

“It’s funny,” said Bateman, “I had held it all together while trying to find hay and also deal with getting the newspaper out since it was deadline day. It wasn’t until I was on the phone with Ron, that I finally broke down in tears. Just knowing he was there to help meant everything.”

McIlnay and his wife arrived the next morning, bearing gifts of baked goods. McIlnay then proceeded to find out what the Humbergs immediate needs were, which were halter and lead ropes for the horses. In the next few days, he provided much needed items such as a wheelbarrow, heavy duty tarps, and other emergency supplies.

David Moffett and his wife recently lost their horse, and after seeing the post on Facebook, they decided that their unused tack could fill a void in the life of a family with horses who had just lost everything.

“I told him we had a saddle and tack we would like them to have and I met with Larry the next day at Three Mile,” said Moffett. “I was amazed at how high spirited he was after such loss.”

After a few days, and some other contributions of tack from around the community, Moffett delivered the donations to the Humbergs. Moffett not only delivered tack, but with the help of his son, they assisted Larry Humberg with moving panels and sharing a friendly cup of coffee.

“I was shocked when I saw what was left of their barn. My son and I stayed and helped Larry with some clean up for a while,” said Moffett.

CJ Tuma, owner of Coldwell Banker North Woods Realty, assisted the family by donating money to cover the cost of a couple tons of hay. After speaking with agent Sam Testa, Tuma was able to contact Greg Johnson and arrange the delivery of hay to the Humbergs.

“I viewed it online that the barn had burned down and they had horses and were asking the community if anyone could help with some hay for the horses,” said Tuma. “They still have to eat, ya know? I couldn’t imagine having everything lost in a fire and then on top of that have animals to deal with.”

Speaking about how it felt to help a community member in need, Tuma said, “It is just what we should do. We are a small community, if you are in a position to help, you should. You can’t take it all with ya when you leave. That is the good thing about where we live, we need to keep it that way, honest and neighborly, and a stand up community. Living in an area with a sense of community is a valued thing, not a lot of places in the United States is like ours, lets keep this little slice of paradise we have here that way, strong and community minded.”

Joe Hafner met the Humbergs through a mutual friend and has previously done some maintenance work on their property.

“I hauled hay for them and loaned them my trailer for cleanup. They are great people, and good friends,” said Hafner.

The Barking Saddle has contributed to the cause through the supply of a donation barrel in the store and, when the Humbergs are ready, equine supplies at cost. The barrel is at the store for any who want to donate items.

Bill Mutter offered his trailer to the Humbergs to use as well as a generator so that they had the necessary production of power. The trailer is in integral part of the immediate need of cleaning up the burned roofing material of the more than 5,000-square-foot building.

Mugsy’s Tavern and Grill provided the Humbergs with a meal to take some stress off during the hardship as well.

“There were so many people that helped. I cannot name them all,” said Kathy Humberg.

The Humbergs were blessed with donations, from face masks to aid in the cleanup, tack and hay for the horses, to tarps that will keep the weather off of the donated hay.

“People are bringing things that we never even thought of,” said Kathy Humberg.

Community members have brought them meals, helped with the dishes, donated time, money, and support throughout the whole ordeal, and the Humbergs couldn’t be more thankful.

“It’s an eye opener. What the fire has done has changed our lives, our future plans for this year,” said Kathy Humberg.

“In all my life and adventures, I don’t think I have ever seen such a collective response to an issue or event,” said Larry Humberg.

The Humbergs have brought a ray of sunshine through a cloud of darkness, as they continue to keep a smile and upbeat attitude. After such a loss, they continue to be thankful to everyone that has contributed, and do their best to keep in good spirits.

“It is the support that makes all of this bearable,” said Kathy Humberg.