Fast-growing Montana wildfire forces evacuations in Canada

WEST GLACIER, Mont. – A fast-growing wildfire just south of the U.S.-Canada border has led to the evacuation of parts of Montana’s Glacier and Canada’s Waterton Lakes national parks.

Waterton Lakes National Park’s trails and waterways have been closed but the Waterton townsite, home to the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, remains open.

The fire was reported Thursday night in the northeastern part of Glacier National Park and had burned an estimated 2 square miles (5 square kilometres) by Friday.

Parks Canada and Glacier park staff cleared hikers from the area and evacuated the remote Waterton River Campground in Glacier.

The department says staff are monitoring as it approaches Upper Waterton Lake. Flame lengths of up to 100 feet (30 metres) were reported.

Officials with both parks were working to protect buildings.