Light rain Wednesday failed to slow the Reynolds Creek Fire, captured Wednesday night in this photo/NPS

Light rain showers failed to slow the progress of a wildfire in Glacier National Park that has consumed a visitor's vehicle and an historic backcountry patrol cabin and shut down roughly half of the Going-to-the-Sun Road as it expanded to roughly 4,000 acres.

The Reynolds Creek Fire, spotted Tuesday afternoon about six miles east of Logan Pass, has led to closure of the Rising Sun Motor Inn, the Rising Sun Campground, and the St. Mary Campground. The park's visitor center at St. Mary was closed to the public so it could be used as a staging area for firefighters. Authorities Wednesday also called for the evacuation of the west side of Lower St. Mary Lake and were evaluating whether to evacuate the east shore of Lower St. Mary Lake.

The townsite of St. Mary also was being evaluated for possible evacuation. The National Park Service evacuated the employee housing area and administrative area Wednesday evening. 

The fire, unaffected by rain showers Wednesday evening, was moving quickly in dry, heavy timber with extreme spread potential, according to a park release.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road remained closed between the St. Mary entrance on the east side and Big Bend on the west side to provide for firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities. One vehicle parked along the road and abandoned in the face of the fire was consumed by flames, park officials said.

Rangers helped escort some backpackers in the vicinity of the fire from the area.