Gravel Pit Fire
by Maggie Craig
August 4, 2023
The Gravel Pit Fire, started the evening of Tuesday, August 1, on Highway 2 near the Silver Butte Road, has grown to 300 acres as of Friday evening.
Pre-evacuation notices were given Tuesday evening to residents along Highway 2 in the potential path of the fire.
Hand crews, engines, helicopters and retardant planes have been working the fire since it started. The fire grew from an initial 50 acres Tuesday night to the present 300 acres Friday evening.
According to several news outlets, a transient, Joseph Eustler, started the fire in order to attract attention for his disabled vehicle, and has been arrested for arson.
Stage 2 fire restrictions begin Friday night at midnight across the Kootenai and Flathead Forests; Glacier National Park; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - Northwestern Land Office; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1; and Lake, Lincoln, Flathead, and Sanders Counties.
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