Tag Archives: Glacier National Park

A history of wildland fire in Glacier Park

History,

Here’s a pretty interesting article posted to the Flathead Beacon that looks back at the history of wildfires in Glacier National Park . . .

Wildfires have played a prominent role in transforming the landscape of Glacier National Park throughout its 105-year history.

The Reynolds Creek Fire serves as the latest reminder of that incendiary influence as it burns over 2,000 acres in the St. Mary area. It’s the largest fire in the park since 2006, when the Red Eagle Fire scorched 34,000 acres.

The barren landscape along Lake McDonald, remnants of the 2003 Roberts Fire, which burned 57,570 acres in one summer, is perhaps the most visible example of fire’s powerful force and lasting effect. The fire was one of six massive blazes that burned more than 136,000 acres of land in Glacier that year, more than 13 percent of the preserve’s 1 million acres.

“The 2003 season is the pinnacle,” said Dennis Divoky, fire ecologist for the park.

But the fires of 2003 are only one chapter in the park’s long history shaped by fire and ash.

Read more . . .

Rising Sun employees evacuated to tent camp in Coram

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A pretty neat story about the evacuation of the Rising Sun Motor Lodge due to the Reynolds Creek Fire . . .

Staff and guests at Rising Sun Motor Inn were able evacuate in about 15 minutes Tuesday as the Reynolds Creek Fire blossomed in Glacier National Park.

Glacier Park Lodges general manager Marc Ducharme said about 60 employees were loaded onto red buses and taken out of the valley. About 150 guests were also evacuated, given refunds for their rooms and a list of other hotels they could stay at in the area.

“It took about 15 minutes,” he said.

Read more . . .

Glacier Park’s Baring Creek Cabin lost in Reynolds Creek Fire; fire now 4,000 acres

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Glacier National Park representatives announced this evening that the historic Baring Creek Cabin, a National Park Service backcountry cabin, was lost due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. No other structures have been burned and no injuries have been reported.

The fire is now estimated to cover 4,000 acres, more than six square miles.

Reynolds Creek Fire: more evacuations ordered

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Smoke from Reynolds Creek Fire, July 22, 2015
Smoke from Reynolds Creek Fire, July 22, 2015

Here is the latest press release from Glacier National Park on the Reynolds Creek Fire. Note the expanded evacuation orders . . .

Officials at Glacier National Park report that fire conditions and forecasted winds have prompted additional precautionary evacuations of the St. Mary area within Glacier National Park. These evacuations include the St. Mary Visitor Center and National Park Service administrative area. The St. Mary Campground, Rising Sun Campground, and the Rising Sun Motor Inn were previously evacuated.

Evacuations for areas adjacent to the park boundary were ordered by the Glacier County Sherriff and Blackfeet Emergency Services.

The wind-driven fire is moving quickly in dry, heavy timber and extreme fire behavior is reported. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today for Glacier National Park. This warning means that critical fire weather conditions are anticipated, including strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures, factors contributing to the rapid fire growth.

At last report, the fire was estimated to be 2,000 acres. The fire management priorities are safety of public and fire-fighting personnel, protection of property and values at risk, and containment of the fire. A Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Big Bend on the west side. The road closure is in response to the fire, firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities. The duration of the road closure is unknown.

Resources from Flathead National Forest, Glacier County, East Glacier, Babb, St Mary, and Cutbank, Fire Departments, Blackfeet Fire Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Evergreen and West Valley Fire Departments and Flathead County are assisting Glacier National Park.

Fire information phone lines have been established at (406)732-7791 and (406) 732-7790.

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was located near Grizzly Point, approximately six miles east of Logan Pass. Park dispatch received numerous reports of the fire from shuttle bus drivers, Glacier Boat Company employees, park employees and visitors.

Reynolds Creek Fire now has ‘InciWeb’ page

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Smoke from Reynolds Creek Fire, July 22, 2015
Smoke from Reynolds Creek Fire, July 22, 2015

The Reynolds Creek Fire in Glacier National Park now has an official Incident Information System (InciWeb) web page at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4405/. This a sort of online bulletin board for fire information, including reports, photos and maps. It is usually updated at least twice a day.

Here is the text of the current incident overview . . .

The Reynolds Creek fire was reported at approximately 3:45p.m. on Tuesday, July, 21, and is located near Grizzly Point, approximately six miles east of Logan Pass. Current fire management priorities are firefighter and public safety, protection of property and values at risk, and containment of the fire. A Type 1 Incident Management Team is enroute.

Fire conditions have prompted precautionary evacuations of the St. Mary area within Glacier National Park. The evacuations include the St. Mary Visitor Center and National Park Service administrative area. The St. Mary Campground, Rising Sun Campground, and the Rising Sun Motor Inn were previously evacuated. Evacuations for areas adjacent to the park boundary were ordered by Glacier County Sheriff and Blackfeet Emergency Services.

The wind-driven fire is moving quickly in dry, heavy timber and extreme fire behavior is reported. The fire is approximately 2,000 acres.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning from 3:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. today for Glacier National Park. This warning means that critical fire weather conditions are anticipated, including strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures, factors contributing to the rapid fire growth.

Glacier Park scrambles to deal with Reynolds Creek Fire

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Here’s another press release from Glacier Park about the Reynolds Creek Fire. Evacuations continue for campgrounds, lodgings and in the backcountry in affected areas of the park, as well as just-in-case planning for evacuations in the St. Mary area. The fire is up to 2,000 acres, probably more by now.

Firefighters and fire-fighting resources continue to respond to the Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire on the east side of Glacier National Park. At this time, the fire is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres.  The fire management priorities are safety of public and fire-fighting personnel, protection of property and values at risk, and containment of the fire.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Big Bend on the west side. The road closure is in response to the fire, firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities. The duration of the road closure is unknown.

The St. Mary Campground is being evacuated. The campground has approximately 148 sites.  The Rising Sun Motor Inn, operated by Glacier National Park Lodges, and the Rising Sun Campground were evacuated Tuesday evening.

The St. Mary Visitor Center will close to the public at 12 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 22. It will be used as a fire staging area. The duration of the closure is unknown at this time.

Park rangers and personnel are searching for backcountry hikers in the area to evacuate them and direct them to safety.  The parking areas of the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Apgar Visitor Center have been established as gathering areas for park visitors that may have been separated from their group.

The park is assisting visitors retrieve their vehicles that were left along the Going-to-the-Sun Road yesterday due to fire activity in the area. One vehicle was consumed by the fire.

The fire is moving quickly in heavy timber with extreme spread potential. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning in effect from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today for Glacier National Park. This warning means that critical fire weather conditions are anticipated, including strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures. These conditions may create explosive fire growth potential.

Preplanning is being conducted for possible evacuation in the St. Mary area.  National Park Service personnel are working in cooperation with Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Emergency Management.

All interpretive programs in the St. Mary Valley are cancelled until further notice. There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area.

An interagency incident command team has been ordered and will arrive this afternoon. Resources from Flathead National Forest, Glacier County, East Glacier, Babb, St Mary, and Cutbank, Fire Departments, Blackfeet Fire Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Evergreen and West Valley Fire Departments and Flathead County are assisting Glacier National Park.

A fire information phone line has been established at 406-732-7791.

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was located near Grizzly Point, approximately six miles east of Logan Pass. Park dispatch received numerous reports of the fire from shuttle bus drivers, Glacier Boat Company employees, park employees and visitors.

Reynolds Creek Fire at 2,000 acres; more evacuations and closings

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Glacier National Park has their hands full with the Reynolds Creek Fire. It is now at 2,000+ acres and rates a Type I management team . . .

A rapidly spreading wildfire in Glacier National Park has now covered 2,000 acres and burned a car left by a visitor on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Another campground is being evacuated this morning, and pre-planning is underway for the possible eventual evacuation of the community of St. Mary.

“The fire is moving quickly in heavy timber with extreme spread potential,” said Glacier Park spokeswoman Denise Germann.

Read more (with photos) . . .

Smoke at St. Mary Entrance to GNP
Smoke at St. Mary Entrance to GNP

Firefighters responding to Reynolds Creek Fire in Glacier Park

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Glacier Park has a growing wildfire on the east side in the St. Mary Valley. Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed, the Rising Sun Motor Inn was evacuated, as was the Rising Sun Campground. Rangers are looking for folks who might still be in the backcountry.

Here’s the official press release . . .

Firefighters and fire-fighting resources are responding to the Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire on the east side of Glacier National Park. The fire is estimated to be approximately 800-1,000 acres.

The fire is moving quickly in heavy timber with extreme spread potential.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Avalanche on the west side. The road closure is in response to the fire, firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities. The duration of the road closure is unknown.

There is no access to any trails or backcountry areas from the Going-to-the-Sun Road at this time. Backcountry visitors are encouraged to contact the park’s backcountry office for more information.

The Rising Sun Motor Inn, operated by Glacier National Park Lodges, and the Rising Sun Campground were evacuated this evening. Park rangers and personnel are searching for backcountry hikers in the area to evacuate them and direct them to safety. The parking areas of the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Apgar Visitor Center have been established as gathering areas for park visitors that may have been separated from their group.

All interpretive programs in the St. Mary Valley are cancelled until further notice. There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area.

A Type II Interagency Incident Command Team has been ordered and should arrive on Wednesday. Resources from Flathead National Forest, Glacier County, East Glacier, Babb, St Mary, and Cutbank, Fire Departments, Blackfeet Fire Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Evergreen and West Valley Fire Departments and Flathead County are assisting Glacier National Park.

A fire information phone line has been established at 406-732-7791.

The fire was first reported at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was located near Grizzly Point, approximately six miles east of Logan Pass. Park dispatch received numerous reports of the fire from shuttle bus drivers, Glacier Boat Company employees, park employees and visitors

Comments encouraged on Inside North Fork Road

News, ,

As mentioned here earlier, Glacier Park is soliciting public comment on their plans for the Inside North Fork Road. The comment period ends August 3. Here’s the meat of the official press release on the subject . . .

Glacier National Park is preparing an environmental assessment for the management of the inside North Fork Road and encouraging public comment by August 3. Public comments will help identify issues and alternatives to be considered and evaluated in the planning process.

The inside North Fork Road is located within the park. It is a seasonal gravel road approximately 40 miles in length. It begins near the south end of Lake McDonald continuing to Kintla Lake near the Canadian border. The road was constructed in 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Currently, the road is open between the Fish Creek Campground and Camas Creek on the south end of the road, and between Polebridge and the Logging Creek Ranger Station on the north end of the road. Hikers and bikers may utilize the entirety of the inside North Fork Road. The middle section of the road is not open to motorized use due to road damage.

Since 2006 annual flooding has caused significant and recurring damage to the inside North Fork Road, particularly near the Anaconda Creek and Logging Creek areas. Another area of the road, near the North Fork of the Flathead River between Quartz Lake and Logging Creek, known as Lover’s Leap, is also an area of concern. The river is beginning to undercut this section of the road due to sloughing of the riverbank. Culvert additions and replacements along much of the road and new road base are needed in several locations.

In response, the park has brought in materials to mend damaged areas over the past several years. These fixes have been short-lived and resulted in deposition of road base and sediment into waterways, raising concern for fisheries and the health of riparian communities. In 2014, the park contracted an engineering firm to analyze options for road repairs at Anaconda and Logging Creeks, and Lover’s Leap. Cost estimates for these three repairs ranged from $682,000 to $735,000.

The park’s general management plan calls for preservation of the area’s wild character, with provision of only rustic visitor facilities. The road provides access to four primitive auto campgrounds and several trailheads. These few developments are surrounded by recommended wilderness.

Bull trout, a federally listed threatened species, and westslope cutthroat trout, a Montana State listed species of concern, utilize riparian habitat on and near the North Fork of the Flathead River, including federally designated critical habitat for bull trout. Road failures near Anaconda Bridge and Logging Creek are causing localized stream habitat degradation, with the potential to adversely impact bull trout critical habitat.

Given the repairs needed, associated costs, and ongoing maintenance requirements and resource concerns, the park is considering the overall future of the inside North Fork Road. An environmental assessment is being prepared for the management of the road. Objectives include developing a sustainable approach for maintenance and repair of the road, improving natural stream function in riparian areas, reducing adverse impacts on fisheries, and continuing to provide recreation opportunities in the North Fork area of the park.

A scoping brochure is available online, and comments and concerns regarding the project should be submitted online at parkplanning.nps.gov/InsideNorthForkRoad. Comments and concerns can also be mailed to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: inside North Fork Road, PO Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936. Comments should be submitted by August 3.

Firefighters chased down 22 small fires over weekend

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Fire crews stayed busy chasing down several small fires over the past few days . . .

Thunderstorms and other sources of ignition over the weekend started a smattering of small fires across Northwest Montana with 22 wildfires reported, although only a few consumed more than a fraction of an acre.

Two fires started Friday in Glacier National Park.

Katie Liming, a park spokeswoman, said a fire at Doverspike Meadow up the North Fork was extinguished by four firefighters after torching about 1.25 acres.

On Monday, firefighters were still working on a 2.25-acre wildfire on Howe Ridge in an area burned by the Robert Fire in 2003.

Read more . . .