Single Publication

Muir Creek Fire Update
August 2, 2024 10:00 am

National Park Service
Glacier National Park
Mike West, Incident Commander; NW Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team

Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099 / Media: 406-206-5272

Muir Creek Fire benefits from recent precipitation

Current Situation: The Muir Creek Fire, burning in the southern portion of Glacier National Park, remains at 30 acres. The Type 3 Incident Management Team is preparing to transition the fire back to management by the park as a Type 4 incident. Firefighter and public safety remain the highest priority. Firefighters are working to protect historic patrol cabins and a fire lookout to be prepared if fire reaches these areas later in the season. With current and expected fire behavior, along with the firefighters assigned to the incident and plan in place, a smaller organization can manage the fire for now.

Wednesday, a module of seven firefighters arrived from Saguaro National Park to assist on the incident. They are helping Glacier National Park fire staff conduct fuel reduction around backcountry structures. Personnel continue to monitor the fire from the ground and from fire lookouts. Ninety-four uncontained large wildfires are actively burning across the country, and over 29,000 personnel are assigned to those fires. This very high level of activity limits the availability of personnel and equipment.

The Muir Creek Fire area received 0.2” of precipitation earlier this week. The rainfall, higher humidity, and lower temperatures combined to decrease fire behavior. There is still heat producing light smoke within the fire perimeter, and fire activity will continue to fluctuate with the forecasted heat this weekend and potential for cooler, wetter weather next week. Historically the Northern Rockies fire season continues through mid-September or beyond.

Weather: The forecast for Friday and Saturday is for high temperatures and low humidity. There is potential for scattered showers on Sunday and continuing into next week, which could bring strong thunderstorms, including isolated heavy rain and gusty winds. Any lightning that comes with these storms could lead to new fire starts.

Closures: There continues to be an Area Closure Order in place for the area northeast of the Fielding Trail, southeast of the Coal Creek Trail, and northwest of the Park Creek Trail, including Mount Saint Nicholas climbing routes and the Fielding Trail between Park Creek and Coal Creek. The Coal Creek and Park Creek Trails, as well as the Coal Creek and Park Creek Wilderness Campgrounds, remain open.

Fire Restrictions: Fire danger is currently Very High, which means that wildfires that start have a high potential for rapid growth. Beginning Saturday August 2, Glacier National Park and surrounding areas are entering Stage 1 fire restrictions. Campfires and wood or charcoal grills are prohibited, but gas stoves with an on/off switch are permitted. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle or areas free of flammable materials. See www.mtfireinfo.org/ for more details and up-to-date fire information for the whole state.

Smoke: Current smoke and air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

This is the final Muir Fire update unless changes in fire activity occur.

Muir Fire Statistics:
Size:  Approximately 30 acres
Containment:  0%
Total Personnel:  Projected to be 11 starting August 3rd
Cause:  Lightning/Natural
Fire was detected:  Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Location:  20 miles southeast of West Glacier, MT and east of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River

Contact Information:
InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtgnp-muir-creek-fire
Fire Information Office:  Recording: 406-206-6099 / Media Inquiries: 406-206-5272
Fire Information Email: 2024.muircreek@firenet.gov
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS

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