Cooler temps, scattered showers slowed Quartz Fire in Glacier National Park
A view of the Quartz Fire in Glacier National Park taken from the air on Aug. 21. (Courtesy photo)
Slightly cooler temperatures and scattered rain helped slow the Quartz Fire in Glacier National Park on Monday.
No significant growth was observed, but infrared mapping was unavailable last night and the fire is still estimated to be 1,678 acres.
Nine firefighters, known as a Wildland Fire Module, arrived to assist with management of the fire on Monday. They will relieve Glacier National Park firefighters who had been assigned to the fire, freeing them to respond to any new starts detected from recent lighting.
An additional engine with six firefighters has also arrived to assist with future initial attack needs.
Firefighters were successful in suppressing the West Flattop Fire at less than an acre. Three Glacier National Park firefighters were flown into the area on Monday and contained the fire by late afternoon.
Elsewhere around the area, crews will continue to secure perimeter and grid for hot spots on the Garceau Fire, located 10 miles west of Polson. The fire is listed as 55 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.
The new Sullivan Fire, located just north of the Garceau Fire is listed as 10 percent contained and has burned 80 acres.
Crews and equipment were able to complete a control line around the perimeter of this fire Monday while heavy air tankers and single engine air tankers were used in grass openings to slow the fire’s spread. Today, firefighters will continue to secure the perimeter and grid for hot spots.
The cause of the Sullivan Fire remains under investigation.
The Revais Fire started 4 miles west of Dixon on Aug. 20 and has burned 15 acres. There are no evacuations and no structures threatened at this time, but the 6000 and 7000 Roads are closed in Revais. The 7000 Road is closed from Valley Creek coming into Revais and the 6000 Road is closed from Magpie coming into Revais.