Single Publication

Quartz Fire Update
Monday, August 22, 2022, 9:30 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
 
Firefighters continue efforts on Quartz Fire; new start detected in Glacier

Current Situation: The Quartz Fire continued to spread primarily to the south and west yesterday, moving farther down the Quartz Lake shore. There was additional growth in a high basin on the northwest side of Logging Mountain. On the north end, the fire remains east and south of Quartz Creek. Fire activity moderated in the afternoon after rain fell in the fire area. An infrared flight mapped the fire at 1,678 acres last night.

Firefighters based at the foot of Quartz Lake completed plumbing sprinklers at the Quartz Lake wilderness campground yesterday and are expected to complete structure protection on a footbridge at the outlet of Quartz Lake today.

A new fire was reported in Glacier National Park after a Sunday afternoon lightning storm. Smoke from the West Flattop Fire was first observed from Swiftcurrent Lookout at 4:37 pm. The lightning was accompanied by rain, and fire growth was limited to one-tenth acre. Three Glacier National Park firefighters will be inserted via a Flathead National Forest helicopter this morning to suppress the fire on West Flattop Mountain.

Glacier National Park, along with interagency partners from the Flathead National Forest and Blackfeet Tribe, will continue to patrol for any additional fire starts from Sunday’s storm. 

Weather: Today’s forecast is for continued hot weather with partly cloudy skies. There is a chance of rain showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms tonight, with continued rainfall possible through the week.

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 1,678 acres
Total Personnel: 25
Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8337/
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier
Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272