Fire burning above Cyclone Lake in the North Fork
A wildfire torches trees above Cyclone Lake up the North Fork Saturday evening.
At least three helicopters were dropping water on a fire above Cyclone Lake in the North Fork late Saturday afternoon. The fire was initially reported as 3 acres, but appeared much larger than that by 7 p.m. and was growing.
The fire was burning in heavy timber, but was also running into what appeared to be an old timber sale or burn. Even then, the fire was spreading and helicopters were dropping water on spot fires away from the blaze.
A thunderstorm went over the nearby Hay Creek area Saturday afternoon. It brought spotty rain, but also more lightning.
Smoke from the fire could be seen in Polebridge.
In Glacier Park, air support and fire crews are working on the Sprague, Howe Lake and Rogers fires on the west side of the park. New fires being assessed on the east side of the park include a small fire visible from the Going-to-the Sun Road near Siyeh Bend, and on Elk Mountain in the southeast area of the park. Both of these fires are estimated to be less than a tenth of an acre in size, and are in rocky areas with little potential for spread.
A red flag warning has been issued through Sunday evening for the Glacier National Park region. Strong winds and possible thunderstorms are predicted. Due to extremely dry conditions, potential for new starts and fire growth is high.
The Apgar Lookout Trail has been reopened, as has the Johns Lake area trails. Closures remain in effect for the Howe Ridge Trail, Camas Trail, Trout Lake Trail, the Sperry Trail from Lake McDonald to Gunsight Pass (including all secondary trails such as the Snyder Lake Trail), and the Lincoln Lake Trail. The Inside North Fork Road is also closed to vehicles from Fish Creek to Logging Lake.
Backcountry campgrounds in the areas listed above are also closed. Other backcountry areas in the park are still open for day use. No new overnight backcountry permits are being issued, in order to reduce the number of people overnighting in the backcountry while the park remains in extreme fire danger. Individuals with current backcountry permits for areas not impacted by fires are not being asked to leave.
Sperry Chalet remains closed. The structures in the Sperry Chalet complex are not immediately threatened, however the Sprague fire has necessitated the closure of the main trail that accesses the chalet. As of Friday, no overnight guests remain at Sperry Chalet.
Most of Glacier remains open to public use.