RedactedNarrative: The boat operator described the accident as follows.  After dropping off passengers at island area ( boat ramp ) , he drove the boat across the lake to the SW shore line to go to the bathroom there (also location of accident ).   The operator stated he was unable to get the boat back off the shore into lake ( stuck).  He called  family members from Cut Bank with a another boat to come assist.   He figured it was about 1500 hrs when he  calling for help ( phone got destroyed in fire).  The operator stated he had to wait hours ( 3-4 hours) and had a few beers ( or vodka ) while waiting.  He stated,  a storm moved in at some point about the time or prior to getting the other boat into the lake to help him ( unable to put assist boat into lake) .  The operator stated he turned the heater on in the boat about the time a storm arrived.  Then, he noticed a fire start ( detected heat ,smoke and fire) in the engine compartment.  He figured he should get away from the boat and did so ( shallow water).  He left his phone and wallet in the boat.   The operator figured he was in the lake for about a hour before a local landowner come down and helped.  The operator stated he was very cold.  He stated it was warmer in the water then out of water.  The ambulance and local law enforcement ( Pondera Deputy Sheriff ) came later.
  
  I inspected the boat the next day.  After I looking at the boat, Cliff's Towing removed the boat from the shoreline.  The boat was heavily damaged ( mostly destroyed ).  Most of the boat ID numbers had come off due to the fire.  The stickers were still attached to one side.  The boat bow was facing more out toward lake then the shore when I observed the boat.  It was difficult to recognize the boat contains.  We found the remains of a fire extinguisher.  The operator said, there was a lot of PFD,s on the vessel prior to the accident.   The boat was in  about 1 foot of water.  There was a much deeper hole near the motor part of the boat.  I gathered empty beer cans ( 16 each ) from the boat near a cooler ( beer cans had not been opener but were empty from fire and heat ).   The boat sticker numbers.