The full length of Going to the Sun road is now open at night. Glacier National Park today said that the night closure on the east side of the road has been lifted, but urged visitors to be careful as firefighters and equipment are still using the road.
The east side of Going to the Sun was closed for nearly three weeks due to the Reynolds Creek fire that continues to burn on about 4,300 acres near St. Mary.
The Park has not updated since last night its estimate of the size of the Thompson fire burning on Glacier’s west side. The fire was called 11,400 acres in size last night, after blowing up from 1,900 acres Tuesday morning. The cause of that fire that started Sunday is still under investigation.
Sucker Creek Fire
The Sucker-Creek Fire, a lightning-caused blaze discovered Monday has burned about 100 acres on the Lincoln Ranger District. Although the fire is burning in rugged terrain with a large number of tree snags, it's moving away from the town of Lincoln toward an area burned in 2003.
As of today, 120 personnel are working the fire using direct and indirect suppression efforts.
Officials say smoke will be highly visible in the area throughout the day.
Scotty Brown Fire
Another lightning caused fire burning in grass, timber and brush near Ovando, MT, is currently estimated at 23 acres and 20 percent containment. The fire is exhibiting active behavior and igniting spot fires.
The Scotty Brown fire forced some evacuations, but officials now say the threat to those structures is low.
River Junction Road has been closed, and travelers on Highway 200 are asked to be cautious of fire traffic entering and exiting in the area.
Lawyer Complex
In Idaho, Level-2 evacuations are in effect near the Lawyer Complex, a group of 21 lightning-caused fires burning near Kamiah. Level II evacuations indicate that residents need to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
The evacuations cover the north side of Highway 64 from mile marker 20 to mile marker 30.5, along Highway 12 from mile marker 61 to mile marker 64, and from Hog's Back south to the Blue North Mill west of the Woodland Grade Road. A Temporary Flight Restriction is also in place over the area.
A total of 300 personnel are working the 2,000 acre fire which was discovered on the evening of August 10. Firefighters are assessing the risk to the public and to firefighters, and plan a direct attack on the complex prioritized by threats to life and property.
For information regarding evacuations along Highway 64 and Highway 12, please contact Lewis County Sheriff's Office at (208) 937-2447. Questions regarding evacuations in the Woodland area should be directed to the Idaho County Sheriff's Office at (208) 983-1100
Perry Canyon Fire
The Perry Canyon Fire, discovered the evening of August 11, has burned 50 acres in the Tobacco Root Mountains, 8 miles south of Whitehall, MT. Twenty four firefighters are working to build fire line around the blaze burning mountain mahogany & Douglas fir.
