Glacier National Park - Flathead National Forest fire information page Map of Fire Perimeters from 2003 Video Gallery of the 2003 fires Photo Gallery of the 2003 fires A Fire Ecosystem Working With Fire: a look at Fire Management Wildland Urban Interface Past Fires in Glacier National Park

Fire in Glacier National Park
Fire is a natural part of the environment, as natural as a rain storm or a strong wind. Fire is essential for the health of Glacier's ecosystem, as it maintains a natural balance and mix of plants and trees, and reduces build-up of deadfall and organic material. In addition, fire reduces woody material to ash, and releases nutrients. There is a natural succession of plant growth, death and restoration that depends on fire. Fire creates forests that are more resistant to drought, insects and invasion by non-native plants, and may reduce the intensity of future fires. Periodic lightning-caused fires have shaped the landscape of Glacier National Park. These fires historically occurred on a regular basis.

The Fire Management Program in Glacier National Park consists of a staff of 16, including:
a Fire Management Officer,
a Fire Operations Specialist,
a Fire Ecologist,
a Prescribed Fire Specialist,
a Fire Program Assistant,
a Lead Fire Effects Monitor,
a Cache Manager,
Four lookouts,
Three engine crew personnel and
Two fire effects monitors.
The fire cache is also responsible for the following firefighting resources:
Three Wildland fire engines (West Glacier, St. Mary, Polebridge)
The main fire cache (West Glacier Headquarters)
10 remote fire caches throughout the Park
Four staffed fire lookouts (Huckleberry, Numa, Scalplock, and Swiftcurrent).

In addition to overseeing fire operations within Glacier National Park, Glacier is responsible for supporting the fire operations in other National Parks in the state of Montana including Bighole National Monument and Grant Kohr's National Monument.

When there is no fire activity in the park and low likelihood of a fire starting, staff from Glacier's Fire Management Program assist other parks or other government agencies, by participating on fire management teams, assigned to fires in other parts of the country.

In Glacier National Park, we average 14 fires each summer and have averaged 5000 acres burned each year since 1988. Some fires are small, remote fires that most visitors will never see flames or smoke from. Other fires have grown quite large and can be very visible. When fire activity steps up, we often request the assistance of National Fire Teams who take over management of the largest fires (under park direction) so that Glacier's Fire staff can continue with the smaller fires and other operations.