Pilots plan air assault on raging Montana blaze

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Montana (CNN) -- Airborne firefighters were set on Tuesday to resume an assault against Montana's Moose fire, the nation's largest, a day after wind gusts and large plumes of smoke grounded air operations over Glacier National Park's western edge and adjacent forest land.

More than 1,000 firefighters were fighting the blaze, which was whipped to a frenzy by 25 mph winds on Monday. Resources available include nine helicopters, three to four fixed-wing water bombers, three to four air tankers, an air attack navigation plane, 24 fire engines, and five bulldozers.

But in spite of the many resources and people at the scene, only 5 percent of the fire has been contained.

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Very high to extreme fire conditions were reported Tuesday across the western United States and Texas. In all, 18 major fires were burning nearly 172,000 acres in seven states: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Montana has eight fires, the most fires of any state.

The Moose fire, not far from the Canadian border, now covers a perimeter of 60 miles. It has grown nearly a fifth in size to 52,000 acres over the last two days. A quarter of the fire is now within Glacier National Park itself.

No homes have been destroyed, but about 80 homes in the park's Lake McDonald area could be evacuated if the fire spreads, said fire information officer Scott Brayton.

As a precaution, firefighters were clearing brush and debris near structures and were covering the buildings with aluminum. They were also using foam retardant on the structures to keep them from burning.

With no significant rain in the forecast, firefighters already contending with the hot and dry conditions were battling a fire that could last for weeks.

All areas of the park are open, except the North Fork area on the western perimeter.