Initial evidence suggests that a wildfire that burned 5 square miles in Glacier National Park may have been human-caused, officials said.
Park officials did not elaborate in their statement Wednesday. They are asking for information from hikers who were in the Reynolds Creek area and campers in the nearby backcountry campground between July 14 and July 21.
The Reynolds Creek Fire started in that area July 21 and spread quickly north of Lower St. Mary Lake, leading to the closure of 18 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Park officials re-opened part of that road Wednesday to allow access to the popular Logan Pass.
Two buildings have burned, including a cabin. Fire information officer Don Carpenter says park officials recently discovered another burned structure at the site of a historical homestead.
Park visitors that were hiking in the area of Reynolds Creek on the Gunsight Pass Trail or that may have been staying in or hiking through the Reynolds Creek Backcountry Campground, from July 14 to July 21, are encouraged to call 888-653-0009 or email [email protected].