West Glacier, MT – Effective immediately, Glacier National Park, at the recommendation of the Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team, has lifted the evacuation warning that was in place for the Apgar and Grist Road areas of the park.

Firefighters have completed significant work to reinforce containment lines on the south side of the fire. Coupled with the recent rainfall which moderated fire activity, the park is removing these areas from warning status.

Fish Creek Campground remains closed. Due to anticipated shoulder season visitation levels and the logistics involved in reopening the campground, the campground will be closed for the duration of the season. It was originally scheduled to close for the season the morning of September 4. Fish Creek Campground Road also remains closed.

Trails along the Camas Road will reopen with the exception of trails off of McGee Meadow.

The north end of the Howe Ridge Fire remains active. The fire is within 150 feet of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in places. Crews are maintaining extensive sprinkler systems at the Upper McDonald Creek stockbridge, throughout the Avalanche developed area, at the Red Rocks overlook, and at the Logan Creek patrol cabin, should the fire spot across the road. In addition, an extensive sprinkler system has been placed along the Upper McDonald Creek trails, with the goal of containing that edge of the fire before it reaches the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

An evacuation order remains in effect between the foot of Lake McDonald and Logan Pass along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Other park roads including the Going-to-the-Sun Road between St. Mary and Logan Pass remain open.

Rain fell in the fire area yesterday, and additional storms are predicted for later this week. While the amount of rain calmed fire behavior, the rain was not significant enough to substantially penetrate thick foliage prevalent in the fire area.

At the recommendation of the incident management team, the park is also lifting the evacuation warning for the area north of the Bowman Lake Road junction with the Inside North Fork Road. The warning was put in place due to Whale Butte Fire activity, currently burning on Flathead National Forest land adjacent to the park boundary. Containment lines along the Whale Butte fire are holding and recent moisture has moderated fire activity.

Trail closures are still in place in the northeast Goat Haunt area of the park due to the Boundary Fire burning in the park along the Canadian border. Boat tours operated by Waterton Shoreline Cruise Company are once again landing at Goat Haunt. Visitors will be limited to the boat dock pavilion and restroom area. Visitors should be aware that firefighters and structural protection equipment such as hoses will be in place.

For additional details about trail status in Glacier National Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Most of Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest, and tourism opportunities throughout northwest Montana are open and operating as usual.