GNP Reports 45-Acre Wildfire Near Avalanche Lake

We were hoping, but Glacier National Park will not make it through the 2012 wildfire season unsinged. Park officials report a 45-acre willdfire is burning on Mount Brown, near Avalanche Lake, on the west side of the park. 25 firefighters from GNP, the Flathead national Forest and Kootenai National Forest are on scene, along with eight smoke jumpers. Aerial water drops are also aiding in suppression efforts.

The Avalanche Wildland Fire is believed to have been caused by lightning over a week ago, and fanned by gusty winds over the Labor Day weekend. Smoke was first reported Saturday afternoon, Sept 1.

The Avalanche Lake Trail has been closed until Further Notice.