Fishing Bridge, WY - Favorable weather conditions over the weekend gave firefighters working on the East Fire in Yellowstone National Park the opportunity to successfully complete and burn out a fireline along the Pelican Valley Stock Trail, located approximately 3 miles east of Fishing Bridge. "The immediate threat to the community of Fishing Bridge has greatly diminished due to fire crews' ability to complete this section of fire line," said Incident Commander Dale Gardner.

The East Entrance Road to Yellowstone Park remains under temporary closure; there is no estimated opening date at this time. The fire has affected a 12-mile section of the road. Current hazards along the road include burning trees, fire-weakened trees, falling snags and rocks. The fire team and park staff are working to reopen the road as soon as it is safe for public travel. Hazard tree cutting by qualified fallers has begun.

PLEASE NOTE: Viewpoints, trails and facilities in the Fishing Bridge, Yellowstone Lake, Bridge Bay, and Grant Village areas are open for business. Lodging and businesses west of Cody along the North Fork Road corridor remain open. The east entrance (Cody side) is the only park entrance affected by the fire.

The fire continues to burn five miles northwest of the East Park Entrance. Suppression efforts are currently being focused on the east side of the fire near Sylvan Lake. On Monday, fire crews began working to tie together a fire line between Sylvan Pass and the upper reaches of the Crow Creek valley in an attempt to halt the fire's eastward spread. Because of remote and difficult access, firefighters will be "spiked" (wilderness camp) in the upper reaches of Crow Creek.

The Grizzly Fire continues to burn in a stand of continuous, tinder-dry forest in remote and rugged terrain south of the East Entrance Road. Helicopters are putting water drops on flare-ups. Park Service boats will transport firefighters across Yellowstone Lake on Tuesday to access the fire area. Fire crews will be constructing indirect fire lines on a ridge south of the Grizzly Fire. Due to numerous other fires in the northern Rocky Mountain area, a shortage of hand crews and helicopters to transport personnel prevented direct attack of this fire.

As of 5:00 pm Monday the size of the East Fire is estimated at 15,000 acres. The Grizzly Fire is estimated at 435 acres. A total of 444 firefighters are assigned to the incident (12 Type 2 crews), supported by 8 engines, 8 tenders, 1 heavy lift helicopter, 2 medium and 2 light helicopters. Current containment is estimated at 12%. Estimated cost to date is $1,177,000.

Fire officials are closely watching the weather and the developing change in fire activity caused by changing wind direction, increased wind speeds and a continued drying trend.