Fire Crews Respond to Wildfire Near Glacier National Park

UPDATE: Flathead National Forest officials are reporting the Glacier Rim Fire was last sized at 30 acres. Flathead National Forest Spokeswoman Ema Braunberger said the blaze was approaching the edge of Glacier National Park, and that containing the fire before it reached the park was a priority. Braunberger expects a Type 3 Incident Management team to take over containment efforts Sunday morning.

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NBC Montana first reported a wildfire that broke out Saturday afternoon near Glacier National Park has forced the closure of a popular weekend road on a day that has seen record breaking heat.

The fire is located approximately 11 miles up North Fork Road and is reported to have started at a gravel pit located west of the Flathead River.

Braunberger said the fire started in moderate fuels, but worked its way into heavy fuels, where it is now burning on approximately 20 acres.

Braunberger said the Flathead County Sheriff's Department has closed North Fork Road to traffic to give responders room to operate.

50 firefighters with Columbia Rural Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Montana DNRC are on scene, and they are supported by 2 helicopters making bucket drops.

Braunberger said no structures are threatened and expects a Type 3 fire response team to take over containment efforts later Saturday night.