Thompson 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.

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

The Thompson Fire near Glacier National Park has grown to over 13,000 acres over night and remains zero percent contained.