News Release

Howe Ridge and Boundary Fires Update Sunday, September 23, 2018; 8:30 am

Date: September 23, 2018
Contact: Fire Information, 406-578-8256

West Glacier, MT. - Weather: Yesterday, both fires received precipitation, decreasing fire behavior and visible smokes. Today will be mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the mid-40’s with chances of wetting rain at 50%. Winds will be west-southwest at 5-10 mph.

Howe Ridge: The fire continues to creep and smolder in the deep duff layers of the cedar/hemlock flats above Lake McDonald, as well as in the mixed conifer stands of the Camas Creek drainage and on Howe Ridge. Crews will continue removing brush and debris piles at the Wheeler Cabin and Lake McDonald Ranger Station area today. As traffic increases, so does danger to firefighters working along roads. Please stay aware and keep eyes on the road.

Boundary: Today, crews will be on foot patrol, mainly monitoring fire behavior on the eastern flank. In Glacier National Park, Waterton Lake trail is open for public use; the Boundary Trail remains closed. In Waterton Lakes National Park, the Lakeshore Trail from Bertha Bay to Boundary Bay is open, as is the Boundary Bay Backcountry Campground.

GENERAL FIRE INFORMATION
The majority of Glacier National Park is open. 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 less than 5% of the park.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to private vehicle travel and visitors can drive the entire length of the road. Drivers will not be able to stop along the road between Lake McDonald Lodge and the Avalanche Creek developed area. Avalanche is open for day use recreation, including day use areas, restrooms, the Trail of the Cedars, and the Avalanche Lake Trail. Flattop Trail and The Loop Trail are also open.

Closures: The North Lake McDonald road is closed as well as the Inside North Fork Road from Fish Creek to Logging Creek due to the Howe Ridge Fire. Trail closures are associated with the Howe Ridge and Boundary fires; full trail closures are reflected on the park’s website at: https:///www.nps.gov/applications/glac/infobull/closures.cfm.

Aircraft Assigned:
A Type 1 helicopter is assigned to the incident. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Howe Ridge Fire. Drones can shut down critical fire operations, and launching, landing or operating drones is prohibited in Glacier National Park
.