Single Publication

Quartz Fire Update 
Friday, September 2, 9:30 am

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

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

Quartz Fire shows isolated activity; Glacier firefighters help with regional fires

Current Situation: The Quartz Fire showed some isolated activity on Thursday, with two locations producing smoke. Activity was focused on the southern tip of the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters at Quartz Lake will hike out today and will be replaced by another fresh crew. The new crew will continue the previous crew’s efforts of patrolling and monitoring fire activity in the Quartz drainage. High temperatures are expected to persist over the fire area again today, which may lead to an increase in fire activity and visible smoke during the warmest part of the afternoon. 

The Flat Mineral Fire, located in the Flattop Mountain area above Mineral Creek in Glacier National Park, is being observed by the Swiftcurrent Lookout. The single-tree fire is located in a remote area of the park within the perimeter of the 2003 Trapper Fire. The fire continued to produce little smoke on Wednesday and has not had any observable growth. 

On Thursday, Glacier’s initial attack resources assisted neighboring agencies with emerging fires outside the park. On the east side of the park, crews responded to the Mile Marker 18 fire southeast of Babb. West Glacier initial attack crews responded to the Lemonade Fire west of Kalispell. Additional firefighters remain available for any emerging fires that are discovered within the park. 

Weather: Temperatures will be 73° to 83° on ridges and minimum relative humidity is expected to dip to 16-26%. Winds are forecasted to be 5-10 mph out of the south ahead of a dry cold front that will pass over Glacier on Saturday afternoon. The cold front is expected to bring gusty winds a 20% chance of lightning to the area on Saturday. 

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 rings or 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: Winds are transporting smoke into the Glacier area from fires in western Montana as well as Idaho and Washington. 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.

Quartz Fire Statistics:
Size: Approximately 1698 acres
Total Personnel: 35
Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier