Firefighters Mopping Up Glacier Rim Fire
The district will also begin rehabilitation efforts as the fire is fully suppressed
By Beacon Staff
Firefighters are mopping up the Glacier Rim Fire near Columbia Falls while a majority of crews are demobilizing from the incident.
The human-caused fire, situated off the North Fork Road across from Glacier National Park, is 70 percent contained, according to fire managers. The fire has burned 100 acres and 88 personnel remained on the incident July 8, down from 115 in the days prior.
Crews gridded the fire perimeter on July 7 and found a spot fire that was quickly mopped up. On the south flank, crews mopped 200 feet into the interior of the fire line.
Firefighters will continue to work the containment lines towards the interior and proceed with mop up of the fire. The fire will be turned back to the district for oversight of the remaining firefighters on July 9. The district will also begin rehabilitation efforts. Helicopters will remain for support of hand crews for any flare-ups.
The Canyon Creek Road will reopen to the public on Thursday at 12:01 a.m.
The Glacier Rim Fire started June 27 and is burning in the old 2003 Robert Fire burned area. The fuels are a mix of heavy dead timber, brush and have a significant snag hazard. It is primarily located west of the North Fork Road, with some spotting occurring across the North Fork River into Glacier National Park.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.