Tourists and residents around Montana’s Glacier National Park were fleeing a wildfire that is shutting down tourism in the area.
Officials say that most of the part’s major attractions are still open but that flames drove away campers because of the smoke rising over the ridge tops. Over six square miles of the park have burned during what is considered the height of the tourist season.
Over 600 campers fled the St. Mary Glacier Park KOA Campground and were replaced by fire officials that have turned the camp into a makeshift staging area for fighting the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, a wildfire in California shot flames more than 100 feet into the air and is threatening 200 homes and ranches in the Napa Valley area
The flames had spread to 10 1/2 square miles and the smoke from the fire could be seen in Sacramento and San Francisco.
The years-long drought in California is causing the perfect conditions for wildfires like the two currently raging in Southern California.
A fire in Santa Clarity has burned over 350 acres so far and has forced more than 1,000 people to flee their homes.
“I saw a fire in my neighbor’s backyard. That’s when I said, ‘Okay, it’s time to go,'” one resident said. “The next thing you know, they’re banging on my door, get out, get out!”
Officials say that this year’s fire season is starting months ahead of schedule.
“Our fuel moisture is running about where we would typically see it in August. So right now we’ve got pretty volatile conditions, and as we start getting into drier weather, we’re gonna see a lot more fire activity,” Los Angeles County Fire Department public information officer Tony Imbrenda told CBS.
The largest fire, the “Lake Fire”, has burned almost 26,000 acres since June 17th and is burning into the forest toward Heartbreak Ridge. The fire is about 19% contained and according to the U.S. Forest Service has cost $17.6 million to fight to this point.
Fire officials say they have been hampered by residents flying drone aircraft to get images of the fire. Because of those drones, officials had to suspend flights dropping water or flame-retardants.