Thompson Fire Spreads East - Grows to 14,900 Acres

The Thompson Fire expanded east yesterday and today into the higher elevations of the upper Nyack Creek area, located in the south-central region of Glacier National Park. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Thompson Fire is now estimated to be 14,900 acres. Dry vegetation coupled with high temperatures and low humidity resulted in extreme fire behavior and fire growth yesterday and today. The smoke plume has been visible from many locations on both sides of the Continental Divide.

A Type III Interagency Incident Command Team has been working with Glacier National Park to manage the fire using a contain and confine strategy. A Type II Incident Management Team has been ordered and will assume command of the fire tomorrow morning.

The safety of public and incident personnel is the highest priority on all incidents. At this time, ground resources cannot be safely used due to the remote, rugged terrain and the lack of safety zones in the area. The National Park Service’s Upper and Lower Nyack Backcountry Patrol Cabins remain threatened by the fire.

Yesterday’s fire activity has prompted expansion of the trail and campground closure order. The fire has now resulted in a handful of day hiking trails being closed, including, Medicine Grizzly Lake Trail, Dawson Pass Trail, North Shore of Two Medicine Lake, Pitamakin Pass and the Upper Two Medicine Lake Trail. For the most up-to-date information on the expanded trail and area closure statuses, click here.

As of Wednesday, August 12, campfires will not be allowed in the backcountry of Glacier National Park. Campfires will continue to be allowed only in designated sites in frontcountry campgrounds. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for Northwest Montana

The Reynolds Creek Fire also continues to burn within the fire perimeter on the east side of the park. For more information on this fire, please click here.

Although three wildfires are currently burning in Glacier, the rest of the park is still open with tons of outstanding hiking opportunities still available. Remember, the park is more than one million acres in size, and there's still plenty of epic Glacier National Park scenery to explore. For more information on many of the hikes in these areas, please click here.



Jeff
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