GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – New numbers show that it’s cost an estimated $7.7 million to battle the Howe Creek fire which has burned structures and forced evacuations in Glacier National Park.
The blaze has held steady over the past few days and has burned a little over 12,400 acres and is 12% contained. There over 250 people assigned to battle the lightning-sparked blaze.
Fire managers report there’s been minimal fire activity with some areas of smoke as the flames continue to creep through areas of heavy dead and down fuel near the Inside North Fork Road and smoldering on the northern perimeter above Upper McDonald Creek.
Crews have continued to monitor and patrol along the McDonald Creek trail and have also prepared a plan to clear debris and remove hazard trees along North Lake McDonald Road.
Evacuations Orders:
- North 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
- Fish Creek Campground
Closures:
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains closed from near Apgar to and Logan Pass.
- North McDonald Road
- Fish Creek Road
- The Inside North Fork Road from Fish Creek to Logging Creek.
- Multiple trails
