Thompson Fire lightning caused; trails reopen east of fire

Fire investigators have determined the 17,000-plus acre Thompson Fire in Glacier National Park was caused by lightning. Meanwhile, Glacier Park has eased trail restrictions east of the blaze.

The Upper Two Medicine Lake, Dawson-Pitamakan, Cut Bank Creek and Triple Divide Pass Trails have all reopened. The Cut Bank Pass trail, however, remains closed as it drops down into the fire area.

Hikers are urged to take plenty of water. There is no water from No Name Lake to Old Man Lake in the high country.

Trails in the Nyack-Coal Creek drainage, the Ole Creek Creek drainage and Park Creek drainages remain closed.

Most of this year's wildfires locally were caused by lightning, except for the Glacier Rim Fire and the Reynolds Fire, both of which were human-caused.

No one has been charged to date in either of those blazes.