The lightning-caused Sprague Fire was first reported burning above Crystal Ford on the Gunsight Pass Trail on Aug. 10 and has been tormenting the Lake McDonald area for weeks. Thick smoke from the fire has blanketed the area, forcing the Lake McDonald Lodge and its surrounding amenities to close early. The fire consumed the historic Sperry Chalet on Aug. 31.
Greg Lindstrom
Two CL-415 planes, known as “super scoopers,” drop water on the Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park on Sept. 10, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The Sprague Fire burns above Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park on Aug. 31, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Sperry Chalet burns in the Sprague Fire on Aug. 31, 2017. Courtesy Glacier National Park
Xanterra Parks & Resorts employees move furniture as they close Lake McDonald Lodge due to smoke conditions from the Sprague Fire burning in Glacier National Park on Aug. 30, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Members of the Fort Apache Interagency Hotshot Crew inspect the area around Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Visitors paddle a row boat across Lake McDonald as smoke from the Sprague Fire fills the valley in Glacier National Park on Aug. 30, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Community members cover their mouths due to heavy smoke during a community meeting regarding the Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park on Sept. 6, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow discusses the Sprague Fire during a community meeting on Sept. 6, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Large inflatable water tanks called pumpkins are staged outside the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A tender sprays water on vegetation near the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Tyler Keith, task force leader for structure protection, discusses operations in the Lake McDonald Lodge complex as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Fire crews discuss installation of the Rain for Rent system at the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Fire prevention preparation at Sperry Chalet on Aug. 18, 2017. Courtesy Glacier National Park
The Sprague Fire burns above Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park on Aug. 31, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Flames shoot out of the Sperry Chalet on Aug. 31, 2017. Courtesy Glacier National Park
A helicopter drops water on the Sperry Chalet as it burns in the Sprague Fire on Aug. 31, 2017. Screenshot from a video courtesy Glacier National Park
Flames seen in the interior of the Sperry Chalet on Aug. 31, 2017. Courtesy Glacier National Park
A sign indicating the closure of the Sperry Trail as the Sprague Fire burns east of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park on Aug. 11, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Xanterra Parks & Resorts employees remove the sign from Jammer Joe's Grill & Pizzeria as the close the restaurant due to smoke from the Sprague Fire burning in Glacier National Park on Aug. 30, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The Sprague Fire camp in West Glacier on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow discusses the Sprague Fire during a community meeting on Sept. 6, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A tender sprays water on vegetation near the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Fire-retardant material is wrapped around vents on the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
A tender sprays water on vegetation near the Lake McDonald Lodge as the Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 7, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The Sprague Fire burns east of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park on Aug. 11, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
The Sprague Fire burns in Glacier National Park on Sept. 10, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
