Yellowstone National Park officials report minimal fire activity during the early portion of the season. However, with recent lightning strikes occurring in and around the park and continuing warm weather, fire activity has increased. Two new fire starts were reported over the past several days. Following is information on each of Yellowstone's wildland fires:

Baker's Hole Fire: This human-caused fire started approximately 6 miles north of West Yellowstone, east of Highway 191 on the Gallatin National Forest, and burned to the northeast into Yellowstone National Park. The 506-acre fire was controlled on July 11 and continues to be monitored by Gallatin National Forest crews.

Fan Fire: This lightning-caused fire is located in the northwest section of the park in 1988 burn. This Fire Use fire is not being suppressed but due to continued hot, dry and windy conditions, holding actions were taken, with some line constructed around the fire yesterday to reduce the potential spread of the fire into unburned fuels. The fire is estimated at approximately 2 acres. Park staff will continue to monitor this fire.

Amethyst Fire: This lightning-caused fire was located in the northeast section of the park near Amethyst Mountain and Specimen Ridge was reported by the Mt. Washburn lookout on July 15. This fire is being suppressed due to dry conditions and the potential of spread. A smokejumper crew on the fire was pulled off the fire yesterday due to hot, dry, and unsafe conditions. A Gallatin National Forest crew of 20, along with Yellowstone National Park support and overhead teams, will be placed on the fire this morning to continue to line the fire and catch spot fires. Helicopter bucket drops will be done as needed. The Specimen Ridge Trail is closed from the junction with the Agate Creek Trail to the Lamar River due to the fire. The fire is currently estimated at 70-75 acres.

Bison Fire: This lightning-caused fire is located in the northeast section of the park west of Elk Tongue near Bison Peak about one-quarter mile from the park's north boundary. The fire probably started on July 15 and was located yesterday. Because of dry conditions, it was decided to suppress this fire. Five smokejumpers were placed on the fire and were able to establish a line and contain the fire yesterday. The fire is estimated at one-quarter to one-half acre. The 5 smokejumpers will demob from the fire today, but park staff will continue to monitor the fire.

Yellowstone Fire Management policy requires that all human-caused fires be suppressed but that natural fires be allowed to burn as long as they do not threaten people, property or resource values. Before any wildland fire is allowed to burn, however, it must be carefully evaluated and meet an inventory of pre-established criteria (including current and forecasted weather and wind conditions, fuel moisture levels, site location data, and sufficient resources). If all criteria are not met on a daily basis, the fire must be reassessed to determine whether it will still be allowed to burn or if it must be immediately suppressed. With the current dry conditions in the park and the lack of any new moisture, each new fire start is being carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the appropriate management action will be to suppress or allow new fire starts to burn.

A red flag warning has been issued for today for thunderstorms and strong gusty winds. Today's weather forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures will be around 75 to 85 degrees, with relative humidity around 18 to 22 percent. Winds will be out of the southwest at 15-20 mph, with possible 50 mph winds around thunderstorms. Generally hotter and dryer weather conditions are predicted in the long term forecast.

There have been a total of 7 fires during the 2003 fire season-3 human-caused and 4 lightning-caused.

Currently, campfires are allowed in established fire pits and grates and liquid or gas fuel stoves and self-contained charcoal grills may be used. Park officials remind visitors that, with the exception of the Amethyst Fire closure, the park is open to backcountry use, all entrances to Yellowstone National Park remain open, as well as all frontcountry visitor and park facilities, including all lodging, food services, general stores, gift shops, and campgrounds.