Sheep fire

The Sheep Fire, part of the Thompson-Divide Complex, blew up on Thursday, prompting the closure of an 8-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 2 and evacuation notices for more than 100 homes and businesses. However, NBC Montana reports clouds and heavy smoke made the Sheep Fire less active on Friday.

Mandatory evacuations were issued yesterday afternoon in the town of Essex as the Sheep Fire overwhelms Flathead County.

Residents of Essex and surrounding areas are preparing themselves to evacuate due to a nearby fire called Sheep Fire.

There are numerous fires burning up throughout Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest.