Quick-moving Glacier National Park fire forces evacuations
CNN iReporter Corey R. Lewis was visiting Glacier National Park on Monday, July 21, when he saw the fire and shot this picture from the east side of the park.
Story highlights
- The Glacier National Park fire started Tuesday afternoon
- The park's popular Going-to-the-Sun Road is shut down to allow for firefighting
(CNN)A 2,000-acre fire at Glacier National Park in Montana has shut down part of the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and prompted the evacuation of campers and backcountry hikers.
The Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire, which started Tuesday afternoon near Grizzly Point on the east side of the park and doubled in size overnight, "is moving quickly in heavy timber with extreme spread potential," according to a park media statement.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road closure between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Avalanche on the west side on Tuesday evening was to aid firefighter response activities, park personnel priorities and visitor safety. The 50-mile road takes visitors through the interior of the park, traveling along mountainsides and showing off its beauty.
The St. Mary Visitor Center closed at noon Wednesday so it could be used as a fire staging area.
The St. Mary Campground, which has about 148 sites, was being evacuated Wednesday.
The Rising Sun Motor Inn, which is operated by Glacier National Park Lodges, and the Rising Sun Campground were both evacuated Tuesday night.
Park rangers and other staffers are searching for backcountry hikers to evacuate them.
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