Sprague Fire Update – 9-4-17 7am

Apgar Area, Logan Pass Still Open

The evacuation ORDER was implemented in a successful manner.   Glacier National Park contacted landowners within the Park and visitors starting at 10:00 am on Sunday September 3, 2017. Visitors were informed about the closure as they entered the Park and at checkpoints within the closure area by 6:00 p.m.  The closure is from the south end of Lake McDonald north to Logan Pass.  This includes the North McDonald Road.  This does not include the Apgar area at this time.  Logan Pass is still accessible from the east side of the Park.  The duration of the evacuation is unknown at this time.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning effective through 9 pm Monday. The approaching cold front is a marker of extreme fire behavior.  The predicted high winds from the east this evening could increase activity on the west side of the Sprague Fire.

 Warm and dry conditions allowed the Sprague Fire to spread into the Lincoln Creek drainage last night.  The fire size is now estimated to be 6,833 acres.  Fire behavior was modest throughout the day.  There was no bucket work on the fire today due to the smoky conditions.  Reconnaissance flights were conducted and personnel at the Sperry Chalet were resupplied.

Structure protection work was completed in the Lake McDonald Lodge area.  The Fort Apache Hotshots along with structure protection engines will be staged overnight in the Lake McDonald Lodge area.  There will be a night shift observing the fire and assisting with fire behavior monitoring and operation strategies.  Resources remain scarce across the Nation.

Drones.  This is a reminder that if a drone is detected in the flight area of Fire Aviation we need to ground the aircraft until the drone is removed from the area.  If aircraft are diverted with a full load the load must be jettisoned prior to landing.  In short, IF YOU FLY WE CANNOT.

Smoke. With the change in wind direction, dense smoke is predicted to impact the Lake McDonald corridor.   You can monitor current conditions on the Park’s webcams at http://go.nps.gov/glacwebcams.

Red Cross Shelter.  The American Red Cross is offering shelter for those impacted by the evacuation at the Canyon Elementary School, 200 North Street, Hungry Horse, MT, 59919.  The shelter will open at 5:00 pm on Sunday.  Please call 1-800-272-6668 for information about shelter services.

Most areas of the Park remain OPEN.  All areas of the North Fork, Apgar Village, the Going-to-the-Sun Road between St. Mary and Logan Pass, Granite Park Chalet, Two Medicine, St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Goat Haunt.  Please check the Park website for current conditions at https://nps.gov/glac.