This morning’s press release on the Thompson Fire . . .
Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team
Irv Leach Incident Commander
Daily Fact Sheet Aug. 14, 8:00 a.m.
Link to http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4468/ Fire Information: (406) 314-1669 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Approximate Size: 14,900 acres
Containment: 0%
Latitude 48.551, Longitude -113.613
Resources – Total Personnel: 83 Injuries: None
Hand Crews: 1 Wildland Fire Management Module
Air Support: Helicopters (1 Type-1 & 1 Type-3) 1 Helitack Crew
Fire Update: The Thompson Fire was reported at approximately 1:30pm on Sunday, August 9. It is located in a remote south-central backcountry area of Glacier National Park about 15 miles east of the West Glacier entrance and 12 miles southwest of the Saint Mary entrance. The fire is burning in the Thompson Creek and Nyack Creek drainages west of Medicine Grizzly Peak where the Flathead and Glacier Counties border follows the Continental Divide.
The safety of public and incident personnel is the highest priority on all incidents. Aerial resources are being used on the Thompson Fire to control fire spread. Helicopters dropped water on hot spots in the Nyack Creek drainage.
No structures have been lost or damaged. Structure protection is in place at the Lower Nyack Backcountry Patrol Cabin. The threat to the Upper Nyack Cabin was reduced when the fire burned around it.
The majority of Glacier National Park is unaffected by this wildfire and is available for recreational use. For more specific visitor information, please see official websites http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm, https://twitter.com/glaciernps, and https://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/. Additionally you can view park webcams at http://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm.
A cold front is expected this afternoon with increasing winds and possible strong thunderstorms. A Red Flag Warning for fire behavior is in effect from noon to midnight. Strong winds will first come from a southerly direction,
turning westerly behind the front. Strong thunderstorms capable of gusty winds and hail are also expected. Cooler weather and higher humidity are expected Saturday, with a return to seasonal conditions Sunday.
Some of the smoke to the east is from the Thompson Fire. However, much of the smoke in the region is from fires west of Glacier in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. There are 188 fires burning nationally, including 66 in the Northern Rockies.
Call (406) 314-1669 for updated fire information.
Glacier National Park is under Stage I Fire Restrictions. Campfires are not allowed in the backcountry of Glacier National Park. Campfires are still allowed in developed campgrounds that have park-provided concrete or metal fire rings.
Closures: The Thompson Fire has prompted closure of the Nyack and Coal Creek areas, including trails and backcountry campsites. There may be additional trail closures in the area due to increased fire activity. For updated information on trail status, visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/infobull/closures.cfm.
Trail Closures:
Siyeh Pass Trail, from Siyeh Pass to Sun Rift Gorge
Sunrift Gorge, Saint Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls
Red Eagle Trail, towards Saint Mary Falls
Otokomi Trail
Coal Creek Trail
Nyack Creek Trail
Cutbank Pass Trail, in the Nyack drainage
Park Creek to Coal Creek cutoff trail
Dry Fork Trail, from Pitamakan Pass to Two Medicine Campground trailhead and Two Medicine Entrance
Morning Star Trail, from Cutbank Auto Campground to Pitamakan Pass
Atlantic Creek Trail, from Cutbank Auto Campground to Triple Divide Pass
Medicine Grizzly Lake Trail
Dawson Pass Trail / North Shore of Two Medicine Lake
North Shore Two Medicine Junction to Dawson / Pitamakan
Upper Two Medicine Lake Trail
Campground Closures:
Cutbank Frontcountry Campground
Rising Sun Frontcountry Campground
Otokomi Backcountry Campground
Reynolds Backcountry Campground
Lower Nyack Backcountry Campground
Upper Nyack Backcountry Campground
Beaver Woman Lake Backcountry Campground
Nyack/Coal Creek Camping Zone
Coal Creek Backcountry Campground
Atlantic Creek Backcountry Campground
Morning Star Backcountry Campground
Oldman Lake Backcountry Campground
No Name Backcountry Campground
Upper Two Medicine Lake Backcountry Campground
More Information: Visit Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4468/.
The Reynolds Creek Fire continues to burn within the fire perimeter on the east side of the park. For information on fires within Glacier National Park, please visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/27/.
The Thompson Fire has not impacted any park roads. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open.