GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – The Howe Ridge fire which has forced evacuations on the west side of Glacier National Park has now grown to 12.420 acres and is 12% contained.
A low-pressure system is expected to bring showers and significantly cooler temperatures to the area Sunday night and Monday which fire managers say will give firefighters a welcome reprieve from hot and dry conditions and time to plan for future firefighting efforts.
Fire managers report that the southern perimeter has been backing slowly toward the Inside North Fork Road, which is serving as a containment line. The fire is now within 100-to-150 yards of the Inside North Fork Road in places.
Helicopter water drops have been used to slow fire movement to the south, and fire managers anticipate that the road will prevent the fire from spreading farther south.
Crews on the north end of the fire have reinforced existing trails with sprinklers to serve as fire lines, as the fire backs slowly down from the rocky slopes where it is currently burning.
Hoses and sprinklers remain in place to protect the Trail of the Cedars and other facilities at the Avalanche Creek Campground in the event the fire reaches that area.
There are currently 138 people, including a Type 1 Incident Management Team, are battling the lightning-sparked blaze.
Mobile viewers click here to view a photo gallery from the Howe Ridge fire.
Evacuations:
- The Fish Creek Campground area
- North Lake McDonald road (private residences and the Lake McDonald Ranger Station)
- Lake McDonald Lodge area (all businesses, employees, and private residences), private residences along the Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Sprague Creek Campground
- Avalanche Campground
Road and Trail Closures:
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road between the foot of Lake McDonald (near Apgar) and Logan Pass.
- The Inside North Fork Road
- The Fish Creek Road
- Multiple trail closures are associated with this fire
- All trails off of the Camas Road are closed.
Glacier National Park and most of western Montana are under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No campfires will be permitted in Glacier’s frontcountry or backcountry. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed building, vehicle, developed recreation area, or barren area three feet in diameter.
A recorded fire update can be found at (406) 888-7077.
