Fires, Park parachutists, Dolly Varden

Huge Dolly Varden and Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest fires were front page news in 1947.

New type of man-caused fire was reported in Glacier Park. A motorist trailer virtually flew apart near the Park’s west entrance. Burning bedding and clothing were scattered, causing a grass fire which was put out by rangers.

It was believed fire was started in the trailer as the result of a flat tire, which in turn made the wheel lock. Friction resulted, which caused the fire.

Vacationers en route to Logan Pass saw an unusual sight. Five parachutists were descending on the slope of Heavens Peak.

Jumpers were after a lightning-caused forest fire three air miles from the Garden Wall. The difficult-to-reach blaze had broken out in nine different locations and destroyed two acres of timber before it was put out.

Another Park fire burning three days was viewed by visitors during the same time. It was on the Garden Wall itself near the road camp. This lightning-caused fire was burning on the cliff in between rocks. It was feared logs would fall on the heavy timber in the McDonald Valley below.

Five airplane jumpers were used on the Anaconda Peak fire.

Bill Donegan, Flathead County undersheriff, extinguished a lightning-caused fire started along the road near Polebridge. David Bossler, Kalispell, and Bill Reiquin, Collins, hiking on the high trail near Granite Park, reported a lightning strike and attempted to put it out.

Other lightning-caused fires that week were at Huckleberry, Camas ridge, Logging ridge, Mt. Cleveland, Many Glacier and upper McDonald creek.

Two new lightning hangover fires brought total to 59 on Flathead National Forest. There were two man-caused fires reported.

Six smoke jumpers were used in the fire on the Big Prairie District in the primitive area. Other fire was at Listle Creek on Tally Lake District.

Eight Dolly Varden trout, averaging more than 10 pounds each, were caught by four fishermen in the Flathead’s North Fork. Two 17 pounders were included in the eight fish caught near Kintla Guest Ranch. Bait used included red and white Daredevils and green frogback plugs.

Fishermen were Jack Hoag, attorney, Detroit, Mich., Dave Thompson and Everett Lundgren, Belton, and George Munro, San Francisco, one of the ranch owners.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.