Smoke from the Reynolds Creek fire was filling valleys in Glacier National Park near St. Mary/NPS webcam

Firefighters at Glacier National Park trying to knock down a 2,000-acre wildfire that has closed roughly half of the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road faced the prospect Wednesday of high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures that could lead to "explosive fire growth."

While no injuries were reported, at least one vehicle along the road was destroyed by flames from the Reynolds Creek Fire, park spokeswoman Denise German noted in a release.

The fire was first reported shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, and quickly ballooned from an estimated 60-80 acres to roughly 1,000. By Wednesday morning it had more than doubled, according to park officials.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning in effect from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday for the park. "These conditions may create explosive fire growth potential," the spokeswoman said.

Late Tuesday the Rising Sun Motor Inn as well as the Rising Sun Campground were evacuated as the fire was burning in thick timber with the "extreme spread potential." On Wednesday morning the decision was made to evacuate the St. Mary Campground as well.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Big Bend on the west side. The road closure is in response to the fire, firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities, park staff said. When the road might reopen was unknown.

The St. Mary Visitor Center was to close to the public at noon Wednesday so it could serve as a fire staging area.

Park rangers and personnel were searching for backcountry hikers in the area to evacuate them and direct them to safety. The parking areas of the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Apgar Visitor Center have been established as gathering areas for park visitors that may have been separated from their group.

Park staff also were assisting visitors to retrieve their vehicles that were left along the Going-to-the-Sun Road on Tuesday due to fire activity in the area. 

Preplanning was being conducted for possible evacuation in the St. Mary area. National Park Service personnel are working in cooperation with Glacier County Sheriff’s Office and Blackfeet Emergency Management.