Firefighting force reduced to 520

The Reynolds Creek Fire continues to burn on the east side of Glacier National Park, but the firefighting force has been reduced by about 150 people over the last three days.

The number of fire engines also has been reduced and replaced by hoses and pumps around fire containment lines.

A total of 520 people are working on the fire.

Information officer Mike Cole said the ability to install hoses and pumps around 27 miles of fire containment lines has allowed for a decrease in crews and engines. The hoses will pump water into the fire making it easier for firefighters to do mop-up work.

High winds and low humidity are expected to keep the fire active, particularly in the Rose Creek and Two Dog drainages, north of the fire’s northern perimeter.

Crews are allowing the drainages to burn, which reduces the amount of fuel.

As of Saturday, the fire was measured at approximately 3,342 acres according to a press release, and remains 63 percent contained.

The fire so far has cost $7.5 million to fight.

It was a hot day on the fire lines — 88 degrees — but it was much hotter on the west side of the Divide.

Temperatures on Saturday topped 100 degrees in Kalispell, Libby and Troy, and at least three more days of highs near 100 are forecast.

Saturday's high officially was 101 degrees at Glacier Park International Airport. That surpassed the old record for Aug. 1 set in 1978.

Relative humidity dropped as low as 6 percent on Saturday in the Flathead Valley.

A fire in Washington state likely is contributing to the smoke visible from the Flathead Valley, Cole said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.