Yellowstone National Park officials report that the park's East Entrance Road will temporarily reopen at 11:00 am today. The road closed yesterday at 5:30 pm because of heavy smoke and the potential for fire reaching the roadway from the East Fire. The fire is still relatively close to the road and has the potential to close the road once again. Visitor and firefighter safety are the park's chief concerns with any fire, and park fire officials will continue to monitor the conditions near the road to determine if safe travel conditions remain.

The East Fire is now estimated to be about 2,700 acres in size. It was started by lightning on August 11, and is burning in dense forest fuels. Helicopter bucket drops are being utilized to hold the fire on the east and south sides.

For a recorded message of updated fire information, call: 307-344-2580. For fire maps and other fire information, visit the park's web site at: http://www.nps.gov/yell/technical/fire/index.htm.