Page 24 - Flathead Beacon // 4.13.16

24
APRIL 13, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
ROUNDUP
FROM BEACON STAFF AND WIRE SERVICES
93 1 KALISPELL
2
15 2
4
2 32
935 MISSOULA
BUTTE
BOZEMAN
15
KALISPELL
1. Candle Sparks House Fire
Fire ghters from around Kalispell responded to a residential structure re on the night of April 6 and the initial investigation suggests an unattended candle sparked the blaze.
According to a press release from the Kalispell Fire Department, the re was reported shortly after 9 p.m. on West Wyoming Street. By the time re ghters arrived, they found heavy smoke pouring out of the house.
No one was injured in the re but two family cats were lost in the blaze.
Fire Chief Dave Dedman said the unat- tended candle was most likely responsi- ble for the re but the incident remains under investigation. The re caused at least $100,000 worth of damage to the home.
Fire ghters from Kalispell, Ever- green and Smith Valley all responded to the blaze.
MANY GLACIER
2. Work Begins on Final Phase of
Many Glacier Hotel Rehabilitation
Crews have started working on upgrades to the historic Many Glacier Hotel.
The National Park Service awarded a $13.56 million contract on March 16 to Swank Enterprises to correct remaining health and safety concerns within the National Historic Landmark site.
The contractor began staging for the project on April 1 and will continue through December, when work will cease for the winter. Work will restart on April 1, 2017 and is anticipated to be completed by June 2, 2017, in time for next year’s peak season and the 100th anniversary of Annex II.
The 211-room hotel was built by the Great Northern Railroad starting in 1914. The hotel opened to guests on July 4, 1915, but Annex II was not completed until 1917. The passage of time, the evo- lution of stricter building codes for occu- pant safety and harsh environmental conditions have contributed to its deteri- orated condition. Glacier National Park’s
90
GREAT FALLS
90
15 8
6
HELENA
94
1999 General Management Plan high- lighted the deteriorated condition of the Many Glacier Hotel and other historic park facilities as a critical issue.
During the summer of 2016, approx- imately half of the Many Glacier Hotel’s 211 rooms will be closed due to the con- struction. The a ected rooms are located above the lobby and within Annex II. Additionally, the lobby spaces – includ- ing the deck and lake level areas – will be under construction and inaccessible.
“Capital improvements in our signa- ture historic structures like the Many Glacier Hotel help reduce our annual operating and maintenance costs and serve as a welcome sign to the next century of park visitors,” said Glacier National Park Superintendent Je Mow. “I know this project investment will pay dividends in the future for our guests.”
In advance of the 2017 summer season, Glacier National Park Lodges will be com- pleting additional upgrades, including replacement of select guest room décor and nishes, as well as the lobby and pub- lic area furnishings. Sixty of the guest rooms will be converted to “upscale” rooms with enhanced amenities.
BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS AREA 3. Fire in Northwestern Montana Burns Through Wilderness Area
Fire ghters are working to suppress a re in northwest Montana in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.
The Independent Record reports that the re is burning grass and mature Douglas r near lower North Fork Sun River, southeast of the Forest Service cabin on Cabin Creek, in the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.
Fire ghters were hiking to the re April 9 and were working to suppress the re where it was safe to do so. Investiga- tors believe the blaze was started by a warning or camp re.
There are no area closures in place, but people are encouraged to avoid the area so as not to disrupt suppression e orts.
7 BILLINGS
90