Sprague Fire

Sprague Fire
Sprague Fire on August 31, 2017 at 1037 pm
Location	Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, United States
Coordinates	48°36′25″N 113°49′44″W / 48.607°N 113.829°W / 48.607; -113.829
Statistics
Date(s)	August 19 - current, 2017 8:30pm
Burned area	16,982 acres (6,872 ha)
Cause	Lightning
Land use	Forest
Buildings destroyed	1
Fatalities	0
Injuries	0

The Sprague Fire is in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana and was first reported on August 10, 2017 around 8:30pm after it was caused by a lightning storm. As of October 1, 2017, it encompassed 16,982 acres (6,872 ha) and is notable for nearly destroying the historic Sperry Chalet.

Initially reported on August 10, 2017 on the north side of Sprague Creek, 9 mi (14 km) northeast of West Glacier, Montana, by August 15, 2017, the fire was estimated to be 100 acres (40 ha) in size and situated in steep terrain. Burning along the Gunsight Trail, the primary trail access to the Sperry Chalet, a historic backcountry lodging facility only accessible by trail, the fire forced the closing of the chalet, though the structure was not threatened at that time. The Sperry Chalet was built in 1913 by workers employed by the Great Northern Railway and is listed as on the National Register of Historic Places. It was part of the Great Northern Railway Buildings that have been listed as a National Historic Landmark.

By August 18th the fire had spread to 519 acres (210 ha) on Mount Brown and firefighters had installed an irrigation system and hose lay in the Sperry Chalet area and wrapped the historic Mount Brown Fire Lookout tower with protective fire resistant material. By August 21st, Sprague Fire had spread to encompass 1,183 acres (479 ha) and was burning in a sparse vegetation zone on Lincoln Ridge. Nearly 100 firefighters had been assigned to the fire protecting structures such as Sperry Chalet with a portable pond and sprinklers and had the support of one helicopter performing water drops on hot spots. The fire assessment was that the sparse vegetation and somewhat cooler temperatures would help firefighters protect structures and that Sperry Chalet was not in imminent danger. By August 28th, the fire has spread to over 1,500 acres (610 ha) and firefighters continued to reduce fuel loads in potential burn areas and to protect and monitor conditions near Sperry Chalet. However, smoke was becoming a factor with hazardous smoke levels being recorded at the facilities in and near the Lake McDonald Lodge area. Sprinkler operations were also installed near footbridges on trails.