The community of Essex remains on evacuation alert.
 
Highway 2 is open. Pilot cars will run 24 hours a day, but the highway could be closed due to changing fire conditions. Expect delays of 10-15 minutes.
The BNSF and Amtrak trains are running.  For more information on Amtrak call 1-(800) 872-7245.

Weather: Yesterday was another fairly quiet day on all complex fires due to the inversion keeping fire activity at a minimum. Isolated thunderstorms are expected for today through Friday. Winds may increase to up to 10 mph today, with the inversion possibly breaking in mid-afternoon. A cold front is predicted for Sunday that may bring some precipitation and higher winds on Saturday. Temperatures are on the rise through this coming week under an unusual high pressure, with 82-87 degree highs predicted in the valleys.
 
Wildland Firefighters Anthony Lee and Michael Rudolph inspect sprinklers set up to protect the BNSF railroad trestle from to the Thompson-Divide Complex’s Sheep Fire burning about 1 mile south of Essex, MT, Aug. 25, 2015. (photo Jonathan Moor, NPS)
Wildland Firefighters Anthony Lee and Michael Rudolph inspect sprinklers set up to protect the BNSF railroad trestle from to the Thompson-Divide Complex’s Sheep Fire burning about 1 mile south of Essex, MT, Aug. 25, 2015. (photo Jonathan Moor, NPS)
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The Sheep Fire is still about 1 mile south of Essex on the Flathead National Forest. It has not grown over the past few days, and remains at 607 acres, burning in very steep terrain with limited access. Light fire activity yesterday allowed the continued movement of equipment to the fire area in preparation for removal of fuels. Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains will continue to transport firefighters to the fire area. Equipment has begun to build a shaded fuel break to the northeast of the fire, running between the train trestle and Essex following the river corridor. Helicopters will help with bucket drops when not hindered by low visibility. Logs being removed will be taken out by train to the Schellinger gravel pit for eventual removal. Goals are to keep this fire from going north towards Essex and moving into the transportation corridor along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

The Granite Fire is west of Marias Pass and south of Hwy. 2 in and north of the Great Bear Wilderness. It is burning on 289 acres in very steep terrain in a mixed conifer forest below a ridge. Yesterday the fire backed down in all directions. Crews have implemented structural protection measures on several backcountry cabins, trailhead structures, a wooden road bridge and a radio repeater. Three engines will continue to monitor the fire and look for opportunities to build fireline when sufficient resources are available, with a helicopter supporting the fire today. Construction of a shaded fuelbreak using logging equipment in advance of the fire is planned unless conditions change.

The Thompson Fire is located in remote south-central backcountry of Glacier National Park about 15 miles east of the West Glacier entrance in the Thompson and Nyack drainage west of the Continental Divide. Firefighters inserted by helicopter back into the Nyack Creek Drainage continue to mop up. Pumps and hose lay are in place in case a future need arises. The fire area covers 16,854 acres, and is 20% contained.
Most of Glacier National Park is unaffected by this wildfire complex and is available for recreational use.  Limited backcountry closures are in place. For more specific visitor information, please see the website http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm.
 
The Thompson Fire has not impacted park roads.  The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open.
 
 

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