YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — The East Entrance to the park remains closed this morning. A wind-driven wildfire forced officials to close it on Sunday.

Linda Miller, park spokeswoman, said Monday morning that the Columbine Fire is still burning close to the East Entrance road.

About 25 miles of the road between the East Entrance and near Fishing Bridge inside the park on the north side of Yellowstone Lake were closed to traffic, park spokesman Al Nash said Sunday.

"This is a temporary closure," he said. "We do not know how long it will be necessary to keep the road closed. The fire has increased dramatically in size this afternoon because of the high gusty winds."

Until the east gate is reopened, travelers from Cody must detour 29 miles through Montana to enter the park.

The fire, which was started by lightning last Thursday, grew from an estimated 2,500 acres on Saturday to an estimated 12,000 acres, or about 18 square miles, on Sunday.

Through July, more than 208,000 visitors have passed through the park's East Entrance this year.