A wildfire east of Logan Pass in Glacier National Park quickly spread to roughly 1,000 acres Tuesday evening, forcing park officials to close the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the pass east to the park entrance at St. Mary and to evacuate guests from the Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Rising Sun Campground.

Reported by shuttle bus drivers and visitors shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Reynolds Creek fire was burning through heavy timber "with extreme spread potential," park officials said five hours later.

"The road closure is in response to the fire, firefighter and visitor safety, fire response activities, and park personnel priorities," park spokeswoman Denise German said. "The duration of the road closure is unknown."

"There is no access to any trails or backcountry areas from the Going-to-the-Sun Road at this time," she added. "Backcountry visitors are encouraged to contact the park’s backcountry office for more information."

Guests staying at the motor inn and the campground nearby were evacuated Tuesday evening. Rangers also were searching for backcountry hikers in the area to lead them to safety.

The parking areas of the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Apgar Visitor Center were designated as gathering areas for park visitors who may have been separated from their group.

All interpretive programs in the St. Mary Valley were cancelled until further notice. There also was a temporary flight restriction over the fire area.

A Type II Interagency Incident Command Team was called in and expected to arrive Wednesday. Resources from Flathead National Forest, Glacier County, East Glacier, Babb, St Mary, and Cutbank, Fire Departments, Blackfeet Fire Management, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Evergreen and West Valley Fire Departments and Flathead County were assisting Glacier National Park.

A fire information phone line has been established at 406-732-7791.

The fire was initially located near Grizzly Point, approximately six miles east of Logan Pass.