Since late July, as fires were breaking out across California, Oregon and Washington, we’ve had our fingers crossed hoping that our beloved Glacier National Park and surrounding communities would be spared. But, we knew that a fire somewhere close by was inevitable….From InciWeb:
On the evening of August 11th, lightning ignited a fire on Howe Ridge, northwest of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. On Sunday, August 12th, windy and dry conditions fueled the fire to rapidly expand. Evacuation orders were issued for the North Lake McDonald road, Lake McDonald Lodge area, Sprague Creek and Avalanche Campgrounds and the Going-to-the-Sun road from the foot of Lake McDonald to Logan Pass (32 miles).
Although Lake McDonald Lodge is 11 miles up the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the StepsAway cabins (StepsAway 254 and StepsAway 244), the way this fire blew up on Sunday night has made a lot of people in the area very nervous. Our hearts go out to those that lost properties along North Lake McDonald Road. For those that understand what a special place GNP is, that must be a gut wrenching loss.
Thankfully, the cabins are safe (knock on wood!). Our only monetary loss, was a cancellation due to concerns about the air quality. No big deal compared with what is happening to so many others!!!
These wildfires are very much natural events and are necessary to thin and rejuvenate the forests. However, that logic is insufficient to balance the disappointment and sadness that Glacierites (me included) experience when this beautiful place burns.
The good news, if there is some – it appears that the efforts to minimize the losses are working. Although 3500 acres IS big, this fire could have been catastrophic if it weren’t for the fire crews fighting to contain it. To those firefighters, we say, “THANK YOU!”
Though the property losses are tragic, and the Lodge, camping area and road closures are inconvenient, one should realize that Glacier National Park is a big place! People are still filling the Logan Pass parking lot via the east entrance at St. Mary and the Lodges at Many Glacier and East Glacier are very much worth visiting. And, in time, the rains will come, the air will clear and the majestic Crown of the Continent will endure.