Single Publication

Quartz Fire Update
Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 10:00 am

National Park Service
Glacier National Park
Incident Commander: M. Lewelling

Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099
Fire Information Phone: 406-206-5272 (8 am to 6 pm)
Fire Information Email: glac_fire_line@nps.gov

Additional firefighters arrive to Quartz Fire; West Flattop Fire contained
 
Current Situation: Fire activity moderated on the Quartz Fire yesterday due to slightly cooler temperatures and scattered rain. No significant growth was observed. Updated infrared mapping was not available last night, so the fire remains 1,678 acres.

Nine firefighters, known as a Wildland Fire Module, arrived to assist with management of the Quartz Fire. They will relieve Glacier National Park firefighters who had been assigned to the fire, freeing them to respond to any new fires 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 fire on Monday and contained the fire by late afternoon.  

Weather: A low pressure system coming from the west will result in increased rain showers and thunderstorms over most of western Montana including Glacier National Park. There is a 60 percent chance of precipitation today, and those storms will bring a 50 percent chance of lighting. Today’s high temperatures are predicted to be 85-95° in valleys and 68-78° on ridges, with ridge top northeast winds of 5-10 mph becoming east later in the day.  

Closures: Glacier National Park has enacted a Closure Order for the areas, campgrounds, and trails within the Quartz Lake drainage from the Continental Divide to the Inside North Fork Road for the protection of park visitors, employees, and natural resources. This includes the Quartz Lake Loop trails starting from just south of Bowman Lake toward Quartz Lake, as well as the Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake Wilderness Campgrounds. A map of the closure is available on InciWeb.  

Fire Restrictions: The fire danger rating in Glacier National Park is currently Very High. All park visitors are reminded that campfires are allowed only in designated fire grates and should be kept small. Never leave a fire unattended and drown any campfire with water until cold to the touch before leaving it. 

Air Quality: National air quality and smoke conditions can be monitored at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Visibility in different parts of Glacier National Park can vary from hour to hour, depending on fire and wind conditions both locally and throughout the west. Check the park’s webcams at https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm for current views. 

Size: Approximately 1678 acres
Containment: 0% 
Total Personnel:30
Cause: Lightning 
Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022 
Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8337/ 
Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272