NPR

Western Wildfires Endanger Beloved Sites At National Parks

A 20-square-mile blaze burned the historic Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park last week. In California's Sierra National Forest, an ancient grove of sequoias was scorched, but the trees survived.
A fire truck is positioned outside Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, Mont., on Sunday as firefighters prepare for a blaze that is threatening the century-old Swiss chalet-style hotel.

Wildfires burning in the Western U.S. are threatening some of America's most treasured national parks – and in some areas, the damage has already been done.

Last week in Montana, a 20-square-mile blaze burned the historic Sperry Chalet, a hotel and dining room built in 1914 and only reachable by trail.

"We are saddened to inform you that Sperry Chalet to the chalet's website. "The Sprague Fire reached the chalet around 6:00pm on Thursday, August 31. The hotel building was rapidly engulfed by fire."

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