News Release

Howe Ridge Fire & Boundary Fire, August 28, 2018

Date: August 28, 2018
Contact: Media/Fire Information, 406-578-8256

The Howe Ridge Fire:
Monday’s cool, wet and cloudy weather slowed fire activity on the Howe Ridge Fire. Scattered showers are expected in the area today, followed by a warming trend over the next several days. The fire is expected to smolder and creep, with the possibility of wind-driven fire activity with drier weather on Thursday and Friday.

Crews continue to monitor the fire’s activity during the cool weather. Hoses, pumps and sprinklers remain 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 continue to maintain structure protection along the North Lake McDonald Road.

Evacuations:
Evacuation orders are in place for the 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, and Sprague Creek, Avalanche, and Fish Creek Campgrounds.

Evacuation Warnings:
An Evacuation Warning is in place from the Quarter Circle Bridge Road north. This includes Apgar, the Grist Road, and all areas accessed from Quarter Circle Bridge Road. A separate evacuation warning is in place for all park areas north of the Bowman Lake Road junction with the Inside North Fork Road due to Whale Butte Fire activity, currently burning on Flathead National Forest land adjacent to the park boundary. An Evacuation Warning means people need to be ready to leave but are not being evacuated at this time.

Road and Trail Closures:
The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains open between St. Mary and Logan Pass. It is closed between the foot of Lake McDonald (near Apgar) and Logan Pass. The North McDonald Road and Fish Creek Road are closed. The Inside North Fork Road is closed from Fish Creek to Logging Creek. Trail closures are associated with this fire; full trail closures are reflected on the park’s website at: www.nps.gov/glac.

The Boundary Fire:
The cool and wet weather slowed fire activity on the Boundary Fire. Today, the Type 1 team will be placing equipment to support radio communications in the area. Firefighters will take advantage of the current weather pattern to assess the fire and develop plans for future actions, as a warming trend is expected later in the week. Structure protection remains in place at Goat Haunt.

Trail Closures:
All trails originating at Goat Haunt are closed at this time. Boat tours operated by Waterton Shoreline Cruise Company are once again landing at Goat Haunt. Visitors will be limited to the boat dock pavilion and restroom area. Visitors should be cautioned to take care, as firefighters and structural protection equipment such as hoses will be in place.

General Fire Information:
Fire Restrictions: Glacier National Park and most of western Montana are under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No campfires are 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. Propane stoves that have an on/off switch are permitted.

Most of Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest, and tourism opportunities throughout northwest Montana are open and operating as usual.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in the fire area.

The smoke outlook for northwest Montana is available at: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NWMontana

Email: 
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Website:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6135 Howe Ridge

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6170/ Boundary Fire