Izaak Walton Inn 'back in the saddle'

The historic Izaak Walton Inn opened for business again Monday afternoon after a fire evacuation order for the Essex area was lifted earlier that morning.

“We were able to get staff back. It took us a good part of the morning to get everything going again,” said Holly DuMay, director of sales and marketing for Izaak Walton Companies. “By [Monday] afternoon we were taking reservations and we actually had four guests. At least we’re back in the saddle.”

The hotel staff and guests were forced to leave Thursday afternoon after the Sheep Fire reached a trigger point about three-quarters of a mile south of Essex.

DuMay said about two dozen employees were affected, including several seasonal workers from other countries.

“We had lined up other housing for them just in case, at area hotels,” she said. “GPI [Glacier Park Inc.] was nice enough to assist us.” Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which operates Glacier Park’s main lodging sites, also helped out, DuMay said.

Eighteen guests were scheduled to arrive at the Izaak Walton Inn the afternoon of the evacuation, and another 18 guests already were there, she said.

Several foreign employees were nearing the end of their summer contracts and were able to leave their jobs early. Also, some college-age staffers already had headed back to school, which had trimmed the normal summer staff of 35 employees down to 24, DuMay said.

“Everyone from the community came out to help,” she said about the evacuation. “And the firefighters were working on fire lanes, making sure we were clear.”

BNSF Railway Co. had a train with water tankers — dubbed “Sparky” — parked at the hotel.

“BNSF has been absolutely amazing. Everyone is working to protect the Izaak Walton,” DuMay said.

Hotel owner Brian Kelly cleared away dead trees in the hotel area and stayed at the Izaak Walton throughout much of the evacuation period, DuMay said. He cooked and served 125 hamburgers to firefighters the night of the evacuation. He had hot coffee for them Monday morning, DuMay said.

Kelly’s Izaak Walton Companies include not only the hotel but also the Halfway Motel west of Essex, Eddy’s Cafe at Apgar and Glacier Village Pizza in East Glacier.

DuMay said the Izaak Walton was able to accommodate its group reservations during the fires and pre-evacuation period, though one wedding was canceled and relocated. Business has been down because of the fires, she acknowledged.

The Halfway Motel, which largely accommodates travelers needing one-night stays, also has been affected by the fires.

“It really hurt the Halfway; there has been definitely less traffic,” DuMay said.

“Eddy’s was pretty fortunate this year. They’ve seen record numbers,” she added. “The weather early on saved everyone.”

With strong chances of rain and cooler weather in the forecast for the next several days, there’s a sense of optimism, she said.

The Izaak Walton is advertising last-minute deals for Labor Day weekend, offering rates starting at a discounted price of $99 per night if booked by Friday.

“Essex wasn’t burned,” DuMay stressed. “It’s still absolutely beautiful.”

As a show of thanks to firefighters, the hotel is offering complimentary stays to any firefighters who worked on the fire near Essex.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tudor Revival inn built in 1939 is a popular destination lodging facility built around the railroad culture. In addition to lodge rooms, the hotel offers accommodations in luxury railcars, restored cabooses and family cabins.

The Essex area remains under a fire watch. After lifting the mandatory evacuation order, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry placed the community back to the “Set” stage of the “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation model.

Residents are advised to remain prepared to evacuate if conditions again warrant the action.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.