Fire behavior on the Howe Ridge Fire at Glacier National Park led to additional evacuations Sunday/NPS

Additional evacuations were ordered Sunday at Glacier National Park as the Howe Ridge Fire made runs into dead timber and the weather forecast was predicting gusting winds that could further hamper firefighting efforts.

Sunday morning the park issued evacuation orders for Fish Creek Campground, including all campers, National Park Service employees, and the Fish Creek Ranger Station residence. The Fish Creek Campground Road was closed from the Camas Road junction, and trails off the Camas Road also were closed.

Previously, the Lake McDonald Lodge complex, the North Lake McDonald road (private residences and the Lake McDonald Ranger Station), private residences along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the Sprague Creek and Avalanche campgrounds were ordered evacuated.

In addition, an evacuation warning was issued Sunday for the Quarter Circle Bridge Road and north. This covered Apgar, the Grist Road, and all areas accessed from Quarter Circle Bridge Road.

"To clarify, this means people must leave Fish Creek. People in the Apgar or areas accessed from the Quarter Circle Bridge Road area need to be ready to leave but are not being told leave at this time," park officials said.

An approaching weather system was predicted to bring slightly cooler temperatures, but the frontal passage would increase winds and cause shifts in wind directions, a park release said.

"This could significantly affect fire behavior on the southern and western flanks of the fire," it added. 

Firefighters were working around structures in the Fish Creek Campground area and along the Inside North Fork Road to reduce fuels and to set up sprinkler systems. Structure protection efforts continue along the north end of Lake McDonald, using sprinkler systems around the remaining structures on North Lake McDonald Road. Crews were installing hoses and sprinklers to minimize potential fire spread towards the Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

The Howe Ridge Fire, which was sparked by lighting on August 11, has been active on the southern and southwestern flanks of the fire, with backing and flanking fire. In the evening and overnight into Sunday, the fire was driven by down-valley winds in heavy dead fuels, primarily left over from the 2003 Robert Fire. An Infrared flight over the fire Saturday night mapped an increase in the fire's size to 7,835 acres. 

The Going-to-the-Sun Road remained open between St. Mary and Logan Pass. It was closed between the foot of Lake McDonald (near Apgar) and Logan Pass. The Inside North Fork Road and the Fish Creek Road also were closed. Multiple trail closures are associated with this fire. Full trail closures are listed on the park's website.

Glacier National Park and most of western Montana are under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No campfires will be permitted in Glacier’s frontcountry or backcountry. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed building, vehicle, developed recreation area, or barren area three feet in diameter. Propane stoves that have an on/off switch are permitted.