Wrapped, closed and smoked

Fire crews put protective wrap on the Mt. Brown fire lookout.

Heavy night time smoke forced the closure of Lake McDonald Lodge

At night, fires can be seen. In daylight its smoke, smoke, smoke

WEST GLACIER, MT - - You can smell the fires at Lake McDonald Lodge.  The cool night time temperatures allow the heavy smoke to blanket the lodge area.  Air quality deteriorated to hazardous levels so the Lodge closed two days ago.  Not what you want to do before Labor Day Weekend.
     The Sprague creek fire,  in hard to access terrain,  has now incinerated the historic Sperry Chalet.  Itself a long, hard hike from anywhere, the chalet fell victim to strong winds whipping up the fire.  The Mt. Brown fire lookout, wrapped to look like a turkey ready for the oven, shows one weapon the fire fighters can employ in critical areas.