West Glacier, MT - An interagency suppression response to three lightning-caused wildland fires in Glacier National Park began on Sunday.
The Howe Ridge Fire, estimated at 20 acres, burned actively today and was easily observed from the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Lake McDonald area. CL-215 (Canadian “superscooper") airplanes flew for four hours, dropping water from Lake McDonald, however this was not effective in stopping fire growth. The planes have been redirected to other fires outside of the park. Firefighters attempted to hike to the fire, but have not been able to engage the fire due to active fire behavior and concerns for firefighter safety.
Ten smoke jumpers are working to suppress a fire located near Numa Ridge. They were supported by a helicopter that dropped water on the fire for several hours. The fire is estimated at 1.5 acres.
Firefighters attempted to reach the Heaven’s Sake fire located mid-slope on Heaven’s Peak by rappelling from a helicopter. Due to windy conditions, heli-rapellers could not access this fire. Fire managers will continue to assess options for fighting this fire, and heli-rappellers have been requested for Monday. The fire is estimated to be less than a tenth of an acre, and is burning in a portion of the forest that did not burn in the 2003 Trapper Fire.
At this time, there are no evacuation orders. The Going-to-the-Sun Road and all visitor services remain open.
The following trails have been closed due to fire danger: Akakola Lake Trail, Camas Lake Trail, Numa Lookout Trail, Trout Lake Trail, and the Howe Lake and Ridge Trails.
The park has established a Fire Information Line with updated recorded information about these fires: 406-888-7077.
Weather conditions have been hot and dry, and the forecast indicates this weather pattern will continue, with temperatures increasing as the week progresses.
Tags: wildfire glacier national park august
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
