Single Publication

Muir Creek Fire Update
Friday July 26, 2024 7:00 p.m.

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
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Type 3 Incident Management Team Assumes Muir Creek Fire

Current Situation: The Muir Creek Fire was reported on the evening of Tuesday, July 23rd. It is located in southern Glacier National Park on a western slope of Mount Saint Nicholas approximately 4 miles east of US Highway 2 and the Pinnacle community. Helicopter rappelers were flown in for initial attack on Wednesday and directed numerous water drops from aircraft. Despite these efforts, fire activity increased and the fire grew to approximately 30 acres by Thursday morning. Glacier National Park fire managers determined direct attack was no longer feasible due to lack of escape routes or safety zones, and multiple hazards to firefighters.

On Thursday, the fire area received minimal precipitation, temperatures cooled, and limited smoke was observed from the fire. However, the fire continues to smolder in heavy fuel and deep duff and is expected to become more active as temperatures increase later next week with a high probability of visible smoke from Highway 2 and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

Today, a local Northwest Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the fire. A Glacier National Park fire crew is monitoring fire behavior. The IMT is developing plans for future fire suppression actions to keep the fire within Glacier National Park and avoid impacts to infrastructure within and outside of the park. The team is prioritizing safety and working to improve radio communications and fire lookout staffing.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Forecasted temperatures, winds, and humidity have the potential to increase fire behavior in coming days and weeks. The fire is in heavy timber on the edge of a burn scar from the 2003 Rampage Complex where there are significant amounts of very dry dead and down fuel.

Closures: There is 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 to include 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 at this time.

Fire Restrictions: Wood and charcoal fires are currently allowed in established campsites. Fire danger is currently Very High, which means that wildfires that start have a high potential for rapid growth. Please use care with campfires and ensure that they are dead out before leaving an area unattended. See https://www.mtfireinfo.org/ for up-to-date state-wide fire information.

Smoke: The Muir Fire has not yet produced significant smoke impacts, but smoke from numerous fires west of Glacier and in Canada have been negatively affecting air quality across the western U.S. Smoke impacts from fires across the west are anticipated to continue. Current smoke information is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Muir Fire Statistics:
Size:  Approximately 30 acres
Containment:  0%
Total Personnel:  17
Cause:  Lightning
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/mtgnp-muir-creek-fire
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS
Fire Information Office:  Recording: 406-206-6099 / Media Inquiries : 406-206-5272

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