GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – Sunday’s wet weather has helped to slow a wildfire that’s forced evacuations on the west side of Glacier National Park.
Fire managers were reporting on Monday morning that Sunday’s cool and wet weather slowed fire activity on the 12,420 acre Howe Ridge Fire.
A continuation of this weather pattern on Monday will limit fire growth, but the fire will continue to smolder with the possibility of wind-driven fire activity with drier weather in coming days.
The reinforcement of the Inside North Fork Road as a fire line is complete and hoses, pumps and sprinklers are in place to protect the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the facilities in the Avalanche Creek area in the event the fire spreads northeast towards those areas.
Crews are also continuing to maintain structure protection along the North Lake McDonald Road.
There are currently 138 people, including a Type 1 Incident Management Team, are battling the lightning-sparked blaze which is now 12% contained.
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.
