YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Yesterday, a small wildland fire was detected by a passing aircraft in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). It is the third wildland fire in the park so far this season.
The park says that the Gray Fire was ignited by lightning and is 0.1-acre in size. The fire is located about one mile east of the Fawn Pass Patrol Cabin, just south of the Fawn Pass Trail. The park reports that its Helitack crew has contained the fire and no emergency closures are anticipated.
Two other fires have been reported so far this season.
The first was the Obsidian Fire which began as a vehicle fire in a parking lot at Old Faithful on July 20. Flames moved from the burning vehicle to the grass and burned a nearby pine tree. The fire was under 0.1 acre in size and was suppressed and declared out on the same day.
The second was the Telemark Fire. West Yellowstone Smokejumpers reported the fire as the first lightning-ignited wildfire of the year on the evening of Aug. 16. The Telemark Fire is located west of U.S. Hwy 191 between mile markers 17 and 18 near a segment of the highway that runs through Yellowstone National Park. The fire was approximately 10 feet by 10 feet in size and was burning in brush and timber. There were no open flames.
The fire was suppressed by a U.S. Forest Service engine crew out of the Hebgen Ranger District. Crews will monitor the area until it is deemed out.
Yellowstone thanks the crews from the Hebgen Ranger District and the Custer Gallatin National Forest for their continued support on fires through an interagency partnership.
Parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is currently high. While there are no fire restrictions, park staff monitor conditions and may put restrictions in place if wildland fuels continue to dry out.
Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. Soak, stir, feel, repeat.
Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone.
