FIRE UPDATE
August 27, 2023
It’s a beautiful, sunny afternoon at Glacier Bible Camp. There is some light smoke in the air, but that is to be expected. We will have some smoke and fires in the Flathead area until the snow flies. The Ridge fire is currently 3,665 acres in size and has 76% containment. It has shown no viable growth in the past couple days. God has been providing an occasional rainstorm over the fire area. The weather for the next couple days is forecasted to be warmer and dry, so there will likely be some fire growth.
There will be another Community Fire Meeting this evening (Sunday, August 27th) at Glacier Bible Camp at 5:00 p.m. in the Tabernacle. Please feel free to join us to glean the latest information on the fire situation!
August 24, 2023
This Thursday morning finds Glacier Bible Camp with mostly clear skies and sunshine. The Ridge Fire is currently 76% contained. There are 483 personnel assigned to the fire and the fire size is currently 3,651 acres. All pre-evacuation orders (on the east side of the fire) have been lifted. There are still significant heat signatures within the fire perimeter. Increasingly warmer weather is expected over the next several days.
There next USFS Community Meeting will be this Sunday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the Tabernacle.
August 21, 2023
Greetings on a cool, reasonably lovely Monday morning! Our weather is cloudy with some drizzle and we are expecting light rain intermittently today and tomorrow. Much of the smoke has dissipated and we expect nice weather for West of 60’s.
For anyone who may be wondering, any rain we have will be light and is not from the same system that moved over Southern California, etc.
August 18, 2023
Fire update for Friday, August 18, 2023… A Red Flag warning issued yesterday at 3 p.m. continues through midnight tonight. Increased hot, dry, and windy weather yesterday led to increased fire activity. Smoke conditions cleared mid-day, allowing water-dropping helicopters to work with ground forces to maintain control lines. Winds are forecast to be somewhat higher than yesterday. The fire crews will continue to mop up and hold the western and northern divisions. As work is completed there, resources are moving to the east side, where firefighters continue to directly attack the fire, supported by aviation, while scouting for opportunities to build indirect and contingency fire lines.
The fire suppression operations are “holding their own” at this time with minimal growth… of all which is on the north and/or east side.
This morning’s rain showers have helped raise humidity and cleanse the air. As I write this, it is beautiful!! There are NO evacuation orders for the Ridge Fire and no new pre-evacuation orders at this time.
August 17, 2023
Today’s fire update… The Ridge Fire has some growth only on the northeast side of the fire, although the growth is not extensive. All other sides of the fire boundary have containment lines. The Doris Point Fire provides NO threat to Glacier Bible Camp as it is several miles further south and slightly west. It is predicted to be hot and dry again today with high temperatures beginning to cool some tomorrow. A cool front will begin to move through and there is a 40-50% chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday. 
We will advise of any significant changes if they happen.
August 15, 2023
GBC hosted another Community Meeting for the Ridge Fire on Monday, August 14th. There are well over 500 firefighters and staff involved in fighting this fire. They continue to make slow progress toward containment while working in very hot and dry conditions along with thick timber that is on a 20% – 50% slope.
At GBC, everything is status quo. There are NO pre-evacuation orders in our direction and we continue to host our groups. There is smoke, but it blows in and out at least a couple times daily. The weather for the next 3-4 days is predicted to be very hot and windy but there is a significant cool-down arriving on Sunday with temperatures dropping into the low 70’s during West of 60’s camp.
August 11, 2023
Contrary to rumors mysteriously floating across the state, Hungry Horse is NOT on fire. No structures have burned anywhere in the Canyon area (Hungry Horse, Martin City or Coram). For the past 2 1/2 days we have not had any smoke. Hungry Horse Reservoir is closed to allow firefighters and equipment unfettered access to the Ridge Fire. Glacier Bible Camp has no problems and no restrictions at this time other than there are no open fires allowed (propane only). If you have questions, please feel free to contact the GBC Office. Thank you!
August 10, 2023
Ridge Fire Community Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Tabernacle at GBC.
We are experiencing cooler weather today after a beautiful rain for a couple hours yesterday. The fire weather is scheduled to ramp up again over the next several days. Please remember that Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place… which means no open flames… and fires that are propane only. Thank you!
August 8, 2023
Just a quick heads up… the smoke we are currently experiencing is supposed to clear beginning tomorrow at the latest. Please do not change your plans based on reports of smoke. We hear that the Flathead Valley is already clearing up.
We hosted an very informative Community Meeting last night regarding fire activity. The US Forest Service and DNRC are doing a great job in fire management and planning. Glacier Bible Camp is not in any danger and it is safe to be here. If that were to change, we will advise people immediately.
We will keep you posted as events occur or changes take place. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us and ask!
August 7, 2023
There will be a Public Meeting today, August 7th, at 7:00 PM at the Glacier Bible Camp (400 5th St W), in the Tabernacle.
Personnel from the incident management team, forest service, and Flathead County Emergency Services will present about current fire information, closures, and evacuation information.
The Ridge Fire is currently at 2,773 acres, an increase of 189 acres.
