Date: September 16, 2017
Contact: Lauren Alley, 406-888-5838
Glacier National Park has lifted the evacuation warning for the Apgar and Headquarters area that was due to the Sprague Fire. The warning was lifted based on the recommendation of the Central Montana Type II Incident Management Team, who assumed control of the Sprague Fire on Tuesday. Favorable weather and moderated fire behavior contributed to the recommendation.
Simultaneously, the evacuation warning was also lifted by Flathead County for the portion of West Glacier that was previously under the warning. In a separate action, Flathead County also lifted the evacuation warning for Moose City, near the Elder Creek fire that is burning in Canada and along Glacier National Park's northern border.
An evacuation order is still in place between the foot of Lake McDonald to Logan Pass on the west side of the park due to the Sprague Fire. The portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road through this stretch of park remains closed as a result.
Overnight backcountry permit issuance has resumed for park areas south of the Going-to-the-Sun Road for trails and backcountry campsites not under a fire closure. The park had temporarily stopped issuing new backcountry permits last week to reduce the number of people overnighting in the backcountry in advance of predicted lightning storms and extreme fire conditions.
Fires are burning in several areas of the park. Other fires are burning adjacent to the park including the Kenow Fire in Canada. These fires have caused additional trail closures that change frequently. Visitors planning trips to the park should check the park website for updated trail status and other park updates. While fire is burning in some dryer areas of the park, others are experiencing winter weather. Visitors should plan ahead for these highly variable conditions.
A substantial portion of the park is still open, including Bowman and Kintla Lakes in the North Fork region, Apgar Village, Logan Pass (check the park website for any temporary weather related closures), Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier.
For daily updates on large fires in the park including the Sprague Fire, Adair Fire, and Elder Creek Fire, please visit Inciweb at:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/2897/
