Three fires consume thousands of acres in Glacier National Park

HELENA, Mont., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- With temperatures near 100 mph and winds whipping, firefighters are keeping close watch on quick-moving wildfires in Glacier National Park that have already scorched nearly 6,300 acres.

Three active fires in the park began amid dry, hot and windy conditions. The biggest of the three, the so-called Reynolds Creek Fire, has consumed more than 4,300 acres. The campground in the area, the Rising Sun Campground, is expected to be closed most of the season and the area along Going-to-the-Sun road is limited. At the same time, another blaze came dangerously close Monday to the historic Upper Nyack Snowshoe Cabin, a 1926 patrol cabin. No one has been injured.

Firefighters said they are depending on the public for help in spotting fires and reporting them quickly. In one instance, quick-thinking park tourists saw a blaze and reported it, said Flathead County Fire Manager Lincoln Chute.

"The Forest Service got a helicopter on it pretty quick," Chute said. "The Search and Rescue provided a jet boat for them to be able to get across the North Fork River and so far so good on that, with the predicted lightning and high winds today, though, it's a little on pins and needles. We're seeing the fires in the park, how fast they're growing, and so it's definitely a concern."

Despite the thick smoke and increasing fire danger, the park remains open.

"There's still lots of opportunities for recreation," said Katie Liming, a park public affairs assistant.

Glow from the #thompsonfire from St Mary in @GlacierNPS pic.twitter.com/qeA68ULv1U

— Mike Altese (@mpharmd98) August 11, 2015