Rapidly growing wildfire shuts down Sun Road east of Logan Pass

UPDATE 9:22 p.m.: Glacier National Park spokeswoman Denise Germann confirmed that the fire has grown to 800 to 1,000 acres within hours. We'll continue to provide updates when they are available.

A wildfire surged out of control Tuesday afternoon on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. 

Firefighters quickly responded to the Reynolds Creek Wildland Fire near Grizzly Point, which is approximately six miles east of Logan Pass. Initially reported when it was 2 acres, it quickly grew to 300 acres by 6 p.m., according to the Kalispell Interagency Dispatch Center.

Park spokeswoman Denise Germann said the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed entirely on the east side, from Logan Pass to the entrance at St. Mary.  

A motor vehicle accident shortly after the fire was reported at 4:30 p.m. further complicated matters for the park as the Sun Road was temporarily closed at Avalanche Creek on the west side to allow for injured passengers to be rescued.

National Weather Service reports for the Essex area on U.S. 2 call for winds up to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Tuesday night. There was a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday morning with winds continuing. 

There was no information available at press time on the cause of the blaze or how many firefighters were responding. 

Large smoke plumes were visible in the Flathead Valley in early evening Tuesday, as well as from St. Mary on the  east side of the park.

More information will be provided at www.dailyinterlake.com as it is available.