Reynolds Creek Fire grows another 1,000 acres; but weather could help this weekend

The Reynolds Creek Fire in Glacier National Park grew another 1,000 acres on Thursday, but there may be favorable weather on the horizon this weekend.

The fire is burning from Reynolds Creek east to Two Dog Flats, about 3 miles from the Park’s eastern boundary.

The National Weather Service is predicting a widespread rain event Sunday evening with snow levels dropping to 8,000 feet over the Park and a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

A Type I team of firefighters has arrived to fight the blaze. Type I teams are the most experienced in the country. This one is led by Greg Poncin, a Montana native. About 200 firefighters are currently fighting the blaze.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains closed from Big Bend to St. Mary.

The fire has resulted in several trail closures. The following trails are currently closed according to the Park’s website:

• The Highline Trail is closed from Granite Park to Logan Pass. Granite Park can still be accessed via the Loop Trail.

• Gunsight Pass Trail beyond Sperry Chalet. The trail to the chalet remains open. The trail from the chalet to Sperry Glacier is closed, but the Sperry backcountry camp is open.

• The Red Eagle Lake Trail is closed to Triple Divide Pass and to Virginia Falls, St. Mary Falls.

• The Otokomi Lake Trail is closed.

• Piegan Pass Trail from Many Glacier is closed at Feather Plume Falls. The Siyeh Pass Trail is closed.

• The Hidden Lake Trail is closed.

The following backcountry campsites are closed due to the fire: Lake Ellen Wilson, Gunsight Lake, Both camps at Red Eagle Lake, Otokomi Lake, Reynolds Creek.

The trail status and backcountry camp status can change. Direct links to backcountry camp status are here: http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/bcpermits/bcbull/bcrescgstatus.cfm.

Trail closures are here: http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/infobull/closures.cfm