A BEAUTIFUL DAWN IN FIRE CAMP

Moose Fire Camp, Columbia Falls, Mont. - Smoke from the Moose Fire obscured the skies north of Columbia Falls for much of the summer. Due to the efforts of fire fighters and with the help of the weather we have clear skies again. The Moose fire camp woke up to the sight of the Northern Lights this morning.

Fire suppression efforts, the partial overcast sky, cooler temperatures, and higher relative humidity helped crews push containment of the fire up to 88% yesterday, in spite of stronger winds. Passive single tree and group tree torching are still occurring in the interior of the fire in the more open canopy areas and along the exposed ridge tops. Stubborn Division E in the northwest corner of the fire was finally placed into "secured perimeter" status.

Suppression rehabilitation work on Tuesday included: removing structure protection equipment and fire shelter wrappings, cleaning culverts, and removing logs from the Hallowat Creek stream channel.

Personnel on the fire have shrunk to 303. This includes five crews, three helicopters, six engines, three excavators, two skidders, one backhoe, and one water tender. Overhead personnel continue to be demobilized home or reassigned to other fires in the region.

Inquiries regarding firewood cutting within the burned area should be directed to the Flathead National Forest, either the Hungry Horse Ranger District (387-3800) or Supervisor's Office (758-5200).

For more information call the Fire Information Center at 892-8970 or 892-9053. Up-to-date information, current fire perimeter maps and photos are available on the Moose Fire web site at its new location: www.nps.gov/glac/resources/fires_2001/fires.htm.

[NOTE TO EDITORS: The last news release from the Moose Incident Command Post will be Thursday, 10/4/01. Any future releases will be distributed by the individual agencies…Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, and Montana DNRC.]