 |
Yellowstone National Park officials report good progress on fire suppression efforts yesterday, in part because of cooler, damp weather. The East Entrance Road remains closed because of the East fire. Crews are working to clear the hazardous, fire-weakened trees and snags along a 12 mile stretch of the road which has been affected by the fire. It is likely the road will remain closed all day. Visitors approaching the park through Cody, Wyoming are reminded that an alternate route into the park from Cody is the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WY Route 296) through the Northeast Entrance. No other roads are currently impacted by fire, and all facilities in the park are open. Smoke from several fires in and around the park can at times affect visibility. Smoke conditions are dependent on location,
weather, and fire behavior.
Following is information on active Yellowstone fires:
Grizzly Fire: This fire is estimated at 300 acres in size.
For information on these two fires, contact fire information for the East Fire Incident Management Team, 307-242-9115.
Union Fire: Located between the Bechler area and Pitchstone Plateau, this fire has been slowly growing in size within its designated confinement area. This fire is currently unstaffed due to a lack of resources. It is about 85 acres in size.
A small fire started by a downed power line was successfully put out yesterday.
There have been a total of 65 fires during the 2003 fire season - 7 human caused and 58 lightning caused.
Backcountry trails currently closed due to fire activity include the Turbid Lake, Jones Pass, Ninemile, Avalanche Peak, Pelican Valley to Mist Pass, and Union Falls Trails. Visitors using the backcountry are encouraged to call the backcountry office at: 307-344-2160 for specific trail closure information and other possible restrictions.
Today's weather forecast is calling for mostly cloudy and continued cool conditions with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. The potential for more lightning strikes is fairly high. High temperatures will be around 66 - 72 degrees, with relative humidity higher at 34 - 40 percent. Winds are expected to be from the north at 5 - 10 mph, with ridge top winds out of the north at 10 mph. The long term forecast calls for a warming trend, partly cloudy skies, and a small chance of showers and thunderstorms, and
highs in the mid 70s.
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 significant 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. With few exceptions, the park is in full suppression mode because of observed extreme fire behavior, very dry fuels, and limited fire fighting resources.
Additional Fire restrictions went into effect on August 16. No wood or charcoal fires will be allowed at any of the frontcountry areas. This includes the use of fire grates, charcoal grills, fire pans, and any other ember-producing equipment in all campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and employee housing. Additionally, no smoking is allowed in the frontcountry except within buildings where smoking is normally permitted, in vehicles, or designated smoking areas?provided an ashtray is used. Other
restrictions implemented July 17 prohibit any backcountry wood or charcoal fires, and smoking is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the cooking area in designated backcountry sites only.
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.
East Fire: Light rain and cooler temperatures diminished fire activity yesterday. The fire's size is approximately 14,000 acres. Burnout efforts on the west flank have been successful in halting the spread of the fire toward Fishing Bridge.
A Type 2 incident management team has responsibility for the East and Grizzly Fires.
Tyson Fire: This fire is estimated at 149 acres. It is located in the Beaverdam Creek drainage east of the Southeast Arm of Yellowstone Lake. The fire is approximately 60% contained after success yesterday with helicopter bucket work and portable pumps and hose lays. 24 Yellowstone firefighters will continue to work toward full containment today.
Most other recent fires in the park have been controlled.
Information provided by the NPS
Comments or Suggestions are Welcome. Send To: John@Yellowstone-Natl-Park.Com. Thank You!