Suspicious North Fork fires under investigation

Glacier National Park and Flathead Crimestoppers have asked the public to assist in providing information on multiple suspected arson fires that started in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park last week.

According to park officials, the North Fork Landowners Association is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for the fires.

Early on July 23, a local resident reported a nearby fire to rangers at the Polebridge Ranger Station. Later, the Numa Ridge fire lookout reported smoke near the Ford Creek area. Rangers and National Park Service fire crews eventually found a total of eight fire sites along the Inside North Fork Road between Logging Creek and Kintla Lake. All the fires were extinguished shortly after being discovered.

Most of the fires had begun in dry logs or brush, but one fire destroyed the historic Ford Creek patrol cabin which was a total loss when rangers arrived on scene. The cabin was built as a snowshoe cabin in 1928 and has been used for decades for winter backcountry patrols. The structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as having architectural and historic significance, exemplifying the rustic architecture of early park backcountry structures, and the history of Glacier National Park’s development and administration. The cabin site is approximately 8 miles north of Polebridge on the Inside North Fork Road.

On the evening of July 22, suspicious fires were also reported at the Glacier Gateway Elementary school and at the Summit Mountain Lodge at Marias Pass. Fire investigators are working together to see if those fires and the ones that started last week are related.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity on the night of July 22 or early morning of July 23 in the Polebridge or North Fork area is encouraged to call Flathead Crimestoppers at 406-752-TIPS (8477). All calls remain anonymous. If an individual would like to talk with a park ranger they may call Glacier National Park’s tip line at 406-888-7077.