The image on the right was taken by the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA's Aqua satellite on July 28, 2003 at 21:15 UTC (3:15 PM MDT, 5:15 PM EDT) and shows wildfires burning in Glacier Nat'l Park in Montana and in nearby Alberta, Canada.

The map on the left shows the location of the three fires in and around Glacier Nat'l Park (Note: The Lost Creek fire in Canada does not appear on this map).

Environmental Impacts

• There are three wildfires burning in and around Glacier Nat'l Park: the Wedge Canon fire, Robert fire, and the Trapper Creek Complex fires.  The combined area burned by these fires is nearing 50,000 acres.
   
• Approximately 2,000 firefighters have been dispatched to the three fires in the Glacier Nat'l Park area.

• Firefighters are preparing for a defensive backfire (A fire set along the inner edge of a fireline to consume the fuel in the path of a wildfire and/or change the direction) to divert the large Robert fire, which is threatening to close a major highway near the park, away from tourist areas.
   
• The Wedge Canon fire is burning 20 miles east of Eureka, MT. The fire had burned 19,667 acres and was only about 5% contained as of July 28. A total of 29 structures have been lost due to this fire. Evacuations remain in effect from Moose Creek to the Canadian border.  Structure protection is in place for 100 residences in the area.
   
• The Robert fire is 8 miles north of Columbia Falls, MT. The fire had burned 10,175 acres and was 0% contained by July 28. The fire remains a major threat to communities within Glacier National Park and along the North and Middle Fork drainages of the Flathead River. Structure protection is in place for 200 residences and 24 commercial properties.
   
• The Trapper Creek Complex fires is 45 miles northeast of Kalispell, MT.  These fires had burned 16,500 acres and were 35% contained by July 28. The only major road through Glacier National Park remains closed. There is a potential for the fire to spread across the U.S./Canadian border. Structure protection is in place for three commercial properties.
   
• Evacuation plans have been prepared for residents of the town of West Glacier, near the park entrance, and for remaining workers at the Glacier National Park headquarters.
   
• The Lost Creek wildfire near Blairmore in Alberta, Canada has burned approximately 6,916 acres and continues to burn out of control. As of July 25, five rural residences have been placed on evacuation alert and the several roads are closed. Warm dry conditions and the out-of-control wildfire have resulted in a fire ban being put in place for southern Alberta starting from Noon July 25.