Fire Destroys Historic National Park Chalet in Montana

Ground and air crews made a valiant stand

 

By MATT VOLZ, Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The main building of an historic, backcountry chalet in Glacier National Park in northern Montana burned in a wildfire Thursday evening.

The two-story Sperry Chalet was lost despite efforts by firefighters to protect it and save it, fire officials said.

“The firefighters, supported by 3 helicopters, made a valiant stand to save the structure but were unsuccessful in saving the main Sperry Chalet,” according to a statement posted on a federal fire website.

No one was hurt, and firefighters were working to save other buildings of the chalet. The chalet had been closed since Aug. 15 because of the fire.

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The Sperry Chalet was built in 1913. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.

Elsewhere in Montana, a wind-driven wildfire ripped through parched forest and grasslands in southeastern Montana, threatening 35 homes and

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Ground and air crews made a valiant stand   By MATT VOLZ, Associated Press HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The main building of an historic, backcountry chalet in Glacier National Park in northern Montana burned in a wildfire Thursday evening. The two-story Sperry Chalet was lost despite efforts by firefighters to protect it and save it, […]

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