Glacier Rim Fire 25 percent contained; human caused

Firefighters have the Glacier Rim fire 25 percent contained as of Monday morning. A Type III crew has been assigned to the fire, which has about 90 personnel fighting the 80 acre fire north of Columbia Falls near the Glacier Rim Fishing access site.

Crews are using a jet boat to ferry firefighters across the river to fight about seven or eight spot fires in Glacier National Park.

About eight structures are potentially threatened by the fire and two residents have voluntarily evacuated, said Flathead National Forest spokeswoman Ema Braunberger.

This is a full suppression fire. Temperatures soared to over 100 degrees yesterday and more hot weather is expected today, with the chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning along with gusty winds.

The North Fork Road remains open as does floating the river, but both motorists and floaters are asked not to stop in the fire area. The fire is burning in the old Robert Fire burn of 2003, primarily in downed timber and brush.

Braunberger said the fire was human caused and started in a gravel pit. Law enforcement is seeking any information on people who may have seen someone in the area at the time of the fire, which was first noticed early Saturday afternoon.