Firefighters preparing for the worst at Glacier Park's Lake McDonald Lodge; evacuation warning up; Red Flag warning at 9 p.m.

Glacier National Park is preparing for east winds forecast for Sunday night that may push the Sprague Fire further downslope in the Lake McDonald area. An evacuation warning is in place due to this possibility.

The National Weather Service has put up a red flag warning for 9 p.m. tonight in Glacier Park. In addition, winds are expected to shift to the east on Sunday as a cold front spills over the divide, with gusts up to 30 mph.

Fire crews Saturday morning were laying down hose in the Lake McDonald Lodge area and had pumps set up at the lake in the event the fire reached the lodge complex, which includes several cabins, a store, a restaurant, a separate motel and several inholdings as well.

Park personnel were notifying residents in the area to be prepared to leave. The north end of Lake McDonald has several private residences. The Avalanche Campground would close at noon on Sunday.

The evacuation warning area extends from the foot of Lake McDonald to Logan Pass. Apgar Village is not under the warning, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road will remain open under this warning unless conditions change further. The warning means visitors should be prepared to adjust plans and move to other areas of the park if directed to do so.