Sprague Fire goes on big run, but doesn't reach Glacier Park's Sun Road

The Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park went on a big run to the south Sunday night, but it did not reach the Going-to-the-Sun Road, fire information officer Diane Sine said.

The fire at 10 p.m. was mapped at 9,403 acres, though it burned intensely well after that. A predicted cold front blew in the from east almost to the minute it was predicted at 9 p.m. Flames could be seen rocketing at the crest of Snyder Ridge.

But the fire did not appear to drop down the north side of Mount Brown, where it could threaten Glacier’s 500-year-old cedar forests.

The west side of the Sun Road remains closed from Apgar to Logan Pass. Motorists can still get to Logan Pass via the east side at St. Mary. Traffic was heavy on U.S. Highway 2 as a result.

Most of Glacier remains open.

Apgar Village remains open as does the Camas Road and Fish Creek Campgrounds.

All trails and campgrounds in the fire area are closed, including Avalanche and Sprague Creek campgrounds. The Harrison Lake Trail and backcountry campground are closed as well.

The entire lake McDonald Lodge-Kelly Camp area was evacuated. Fire engines were staged there and hose lines were down throughout the complex. The Red Cross closed a shelter at Canyon Elementary — no evacuees were using it.

A red flag warning continues today through sunset, with north winds expected up to 35 mph.

No rain is expected at least through Thursday, with a chance of thunderstorms on Friday, the National Weather Service is predicting.