Cooling the Fire Line in Glacier National Park.

On Friday, September 21st, the Moose Fire grew to the south in the direction of the McGee Meadows about 7 miles northwest of Lake McDonald.  Over the next few days, firefighters worked to stop further fire spread to the south.  The following pictures were taken on Monday, September 24th and show the "Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics" used to stop the fire without digging firelines.

The containment strategy was to build a mile-long fire line between the Inside North Fork Road and McGee Meadows using hose lays and a minimum of ground-disturbing activities.

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Drop Point 60 on the Inside North Fork Road within the Park.
A pumpkin is set up to hold water for pumping along the fire line.
Pumps and hoses are used to fill the pumpkin from Camas Creek.
Mark 3 pumps are used to pressurize the mainline heading down the fire line.

Smaller lateral lines are used for mop-up activity.
The grassy meadows in the area burned.
A saw-line is constructed through the trees to lay the hose and provide access.
After a half-mile, another pumping station was constructed and additional pumps push the water further to the west.

Very heavy fuels are cooled with hoses.
Burning snags are brought down to prevent further spread.
As hot-spots rekindle, firefighters attack with water and hand tools.
The fire edge is very ragged in heavy fuels.

Continued work eliminates hot spots.
Heavy fuels are a problem for firefighters
Pulaskis are used to dig out hot spots.
Sometimes firefighters must feel with their hands to locate hot spots

The heavy fuels made mop-up difficult.
With work, areas are cooled down.
Green meadow areas were used as part of the control line.
At McGee Meadows the grasses are very dry and the potential to burn is high.

Near the cabin in McGee Meadows, another Mark 3 pump is used to charge hose lays.
Pumps and hoses are brought in by helicopter.
The cabin near fire line hose lays.
Cabin in McGee Meadows.

The fire burned through meadows and heavy fuels.
Escape routes are constructed and clearly flagged.  Here is a route constructed to a burned-out meadow.
The availability of water allows the crews to create a "black line" along the edge of the fire without "digging" a fire line.
Burning logs are cooled.

By the end of the day Monday, things are cooling off.
The Division Supervisor walks the line.
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