Glacier fire spreads
A wildfire at Glacier National Park spread to 4,000 acres by Wednesday evening.
The blaze - located about 10 miles from the St. Mary Visitor Center - was moving northeast along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The fire, first reported Tuesday afternoon, covered 2,000 acres by that evening.
Denise Germann, the park's public affairs officer, reported on the park's website that scattered light rain fell throughout the area Wednesday, but strong winds and warm temperatures fueled additional acreage.
"The fire is moving quickly in dry, heavy timber with extreme spread potential," stated the webpage.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side of the park and Big Bend on the west side. The duration of the road closure is unknown.
Fire conditions prompted precautionary evacuations of the St. Mary area including the visitor center and the National Park Service administrative area. The St. Mary Campground, Rising Sun Campground and the Rising Sun Motor Inn were previously evacuated.
Germann also reported on the park's website that several backpackers in the vicinity of the fire were located and found to be safe. Park rangers and personnel will continue to search for backcountry hikers in the area to evacuate them and direct them to safety.
Several visitors who left their vehicles along Going-to-the-Sun Road Tuesday due to fire activity in the area were able to retrieve the cars Wednesday. One vehicle was consumed by the fire.
"The historic Baring Creek Cabin, a National Park Service backcountry cabin, was lost due to the fire. No other structures have been burned, and no injuries have been reported," Germann reported on the park's website.
The Glacier County Sheriff's Office and Blackfeet Law Enforcement have evacuated the west side of Lower St. Mary Lake and may continue with evacuations on the East shore of Lower St. Mary Lake. The National Park Service evacuated the employee housing area and administrative area early this evening.
All interpretive programs in the St. Mary Valley are canceled until further notice. There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area.
Resources from Flathead National Forest, Glacier County, East Glacier, Babb, St Mary, Cutbank, Evergreen, and West Valley Fire Departments, Blackfeet Fire Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources, and Flathead County are assisting Glacier National Park. Glacier County and State of Montana Disaster Emergency Services are also assisting.