Sprague Fire

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Sprague Fire

The Sprague Fire was a wildfire in Glacier National Park, Montana. It started on August 10, 2017, around 8:30 pm, from a lightning storm. The fire burned about 16,982 acres (6,872 hectares) of forest and nearly destroyed the Sperry Chalet, a historic lodge built in 1913.

In the first days the fire grew from about 100 acres to more than 1,183 acres, burning along the Gunsight Trail toward Sperry Chalet. Firefighters installed irrigation and sprinkler systems to protect the chalet, and smoke from the fire led to the closure of Lake McDonald Lodge facilities starting August 30. By August 31 the fire had expanded to over 2,000 acres, with extreme conditions and high winds pushing it into older, heavy fuels. Despite water drops from helicopters and firefighting efforts, the Sperry Chalet was gutted; only the exterior stone walls remained. Officials later announced the chalet would be rebuilt with the same design, using the original stone exterior, with work planned for 2018 and 2019.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for much of the McDonald Valley around September 3–4 due to dangerous fire behavior and shifting winds. By September 4 the fire had burned more than 13,000 acres with 155 firefighters on scene. Over the next days, heavy smoke limited spread and firefighting, focusing on protecting Sperry Chalet and other nearby structures. The fire burned through portions of the Snyder, Sprague, and Lincoln Creek drainages.

Throughout September the fire grew slowly, aided by cooler temperatures and smoke that reduced fire activity. By September 9–11 containment improved, and two aerial tankers dropped water on September 10. Evacuation warnings were issued for Apgar Village and parts of West Glacier, then lifted as conditions improved. By September 15 the fire exceeded 15,000 acres with about 167 firefighters, and progress toward the Going-to-the-Sun Road slowed to roughly 100 feet per day. Cooler, wetter weather in mid- to late September helped curb growth, and outdoor fire restrictions were eased.

By September 23 the Lake McDonald region evacuation order was lifted, though the Going-to-the-Sun Road remained closed to visitors. On September 28 the fire was reported at about 16,926 acres. October brought snow and cooler weather, reducing fire risk; crews began removing water equipment and preparing to monitor the fire through winter. Full containment was not expected until November 1, 2017.

There were no deaths or non-fatal injuries, and only one structure—the Sperry Chalet—was destroyed. Rebuilding the chalet was planned to restore its historic design, and stabilization work for the remaining stone walls started in fall 2017.