Single Publication

Quartz Fire and North Camas Fire Update 

Tuesday, September 6 

National Park Service   

Glacier National Park  

Incident Commander: G. Bartin, Type 3 Incident Commander 

Fire Information Email: glac_fire_line@nps.gov  

Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099  

Fire Information Office: 406-206-5272 (8 am to 4:30 pm)  

Slight growth on Quartz Fire; new North Camas Fire near Heavens Peak  

Current Situation: An aerial reconnaissance flight over the Quartz Fire on Monday showed limited growth and burning of previously unburned fuel. Isolated group tree torching was again observed at the southwest corner of the fire. The Quartz Fire is estimated to be 1709 acres on Monday. A crew will continue to be staged at the Quartz Lake Cabin reinforcing structure protection and patrolling the Quartz Fire throughout the week. Additional fire personnel are available to patrol for any additional new starts which may be detected in and around Glacier National Park. 

A new fire, the North Camas Fire, was detected in the upper Camas Creek drainage high on the north ridge of Heaven’s Peak around 7:00 pm on Sunday, September 4. The fire was first detected from Swiftcurrent Lookout and is in a location which received a lightning strike on August 27th.  Smoke and some flames have been visible from The Loop area of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The North Camas Fire is burning in very steep, inaccessible terrain and is estimated at 8 acres. The location of the fire at high elevation with sparse fuels is expected to limit the potential for fire spread. Glacier National Park fire staff are closely monitoring the North Camas Fire, which will be managed by the organization managing the Quartz Fire. The fire is not currently considered a threat to any structures, park resources, or the public. 

The Flat Mineral Fire, located in the Flattop Mountain area above Mineral Creek in Glacier National Park, has had no smoke or visible activity in the past four days. The Swiftcurrent Lookout will continue monitoring the fire, and a plan is in place to protect park resources if this fire becomes active again. 

Future updates will be published weekly on Fridays or as significant events occur with fires in Glacier National Park. 

Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for all western Montana from noon Wednesday to midnight Wednesday night. The combination of gusty winds, high temperatures, and low humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions. More seasonal temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday. A backdoor cold front on Thursday will bring a wind shift out of the northeast, as well as showers along and just west of the Divide. 

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 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, Washington, and Oregon. 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. 

Quartz Fire Statistics: 

Size: Approximately 1709 acres 

Total Personnel: 20 

Start Date: Sunday, August 14, 2022 

Containment: 0% 

Cause: Lightning 

Location: 25 miles north of West Glacier 
 

North Camas Fire Statistics: 

Size: Approximately 8 acres 

Total Personnel: Managed by Quartz Fire IMT 

Start Date: Sunday, September 4, 2022 

Containment: 0% 

Cause: Lightning 

Location: 16 miles north of West Glacier