Firefighters have line around Glacier Rim fire; Stage 1 restrictions now in effect

The Glacier Rim Fire is now 30 percent contained and firefighters have cut a line around most of the fire’s perimeter, fire information officer Colter Pence said.

The fire is burning in the old Robert Fire of 2003, in almost the exact same location as where the historic fire raced across the North Fork Road 12 years ago.

Law enforcement is still investigating the exact human cause of the fire. It burned extremely hot at the ignition point near an old gravel pit, she said.

There are 115 personnel on the blaze. A jet boat was being used to ferry firefighters into Glacier National Park, where they have been battling several spot fires. Pence said safety is a main concern, as the old snags from the Robert Fire catch on fire and have been falling everyday. Two houses near the blaze have voluntarily evacuated. Most of the fire is located to the east of the North Fork Road, just north of Glacier Rim. Motorists and floaters are asked not to stop in the fire area, though the river and the road remain open.

Another concern is more ignitions in the area. Pence said there were lightning strikes in the fire area on Monday night from dry thunderstorms. Temperatures this week are expected to be hot and dry with highs in the 90s each day with virtually no rain in the forecast.

The area is now under Stage 1 fire restrictions. Under Stage 1, fires are prohibited except within developed recreation sites and smoking is allowed only in areas cleared of flammable materials. Exemptions include fires fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum, or other activities for which there is a permit or written authorization. Completely contained wood stoves with a fire screen or spark arrester are allowed only in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, instead of campfires.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

Flathead County has yet to ban fireworks, though fire officials at this point at least, are asking people not to use them. Fireworks are illegal on Forest Service lands, National Park Service lands and state parks.