News Release

Howe Ridge and Boundary Fires Update Saturday, September 1, 2018; 8:30 am

Date: September 1, 2018
Contact: Media/Fire Information, , 406-578-8256

West Glacier, MT -

Weather: The weather pattern remains active, with weak, upper level disturbances moving through the area over the next few days. These systems are expected to be dry and cool with gusty conditions between 20-25 miles per hour, especially for ridge tops. In between systems, the wind will slowly weaken, and temperatures will gradually warm. There is a slight chance of rain in the beginning of next week with possible snow at higher elevations.

Howe Ridge: Yesterday, the Howe Ridge fire displayed minimal fire activity with some areas of smoke. The fire is continuing 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. Fire behavior analysts evaluated the north end of the fire near values at risk to measure conditions and help predict future fire behavior. Crews continued to monitor and patrol along the McDonald Creek trail. They also prepared a multistage plan to clear debris and remove hazard trees along North Lake McDonald Road.
Today, crews continue to monitor areas displaying moderate fire activity along the southeast aspect of Mt. Vaught and the Inside North Fork Road. Smoke from the fire may be visible due to the fire backing in heavy downfall of the 2003 Robert Fire near the Inside North Fork Road. They are evaluating and testing pumps along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor and within an avalanche chute below Mount Vaught. Crews are beginning to implement the plan to clear hazard trees along North Lake McDonald Road.

Boundary: Yesterday, conditions allowed for helicopter water drops to be used on active areas on the northeastern flank of the fire. Crews are providing structure protection for Goat Haunt Ranger Station, and working to minimize fire spread within Boundary Creek. Ground firefighting resources arrived to monitor fire behavior and direct suppression actions. Canada and U.S. fire managers are coordinating efforts closely and are in constant communication about fire activity and response.

Howe Ridge Statistics
Location: NW side of Lake McDonald
Start date: August 11, 2018
Size: 12,433 ac.
Containment: 12%
Cause: Lightning
Injuries: 0 Estimated cost $7.34 Million 
Resources
Crews: 1
Engines: 24
Water tenders: 2
Personnel: 157

Boundary Statistics
Location: Boundary Creek
Start date: August 23, 2018
Size: 2,127 ac.
Containment: 0%
Cause: Unknown
Injuries: 0
Estimated cost $49,300
Resources
Crews: 1
Personnel:6

GENERAL FIRE INFORMATION The majority of Glacier National Park is open. Open areas include Apgar, Two Medicine, St. Mary, Many Glacier and the North Fork. The Howe Ridge fire is burning in less than 1% of Glacier’s 1 million acres. The temporary closure area for public safety and fire suppression access is approximately 93,500 acres, or less than 10% of the park.

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.

Closures:
The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains open for 18 miles between St. Mary and Logan Pass. It is closed for 30 miles between the foot of Lake McDonald (near Apgar) and Logan Pass. North McDonald and Fish Creek Roads 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.

Aircraft Assigned:
All aircraft are shared among the fires within Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest being managed by Mike Goicoechea’s Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team.
Type 1 Helicopters: 2
Type 2 Helicopter: 1
Type 3 Helicopter: 2
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over both fire areas. Drones can shut down critical fire operations and launching, landing or operating drones is prohibited in Glacier National Park.
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