YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) beginning Tuesday, Aug. 12. The national park currently has a fire danger level of “very high.”
A press release sent by YNP lays out the various rules that come with stage 1 fire restrictions. Notably, in the backcountry and on trails, all charcoal and wood campfires will now be prohibited, including those in established fire rings.
Self-contained stoves, charcoal grills, and stoves and lanterns that use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum or gas fuel are still permitted. According to the press release, fully-enclosed sheepherder stoves with a ¼-inch spark-arrestor screen are permitted in areas cleared of flammable materials within a 3-foot radius. Smoking is only permitted in areas adjacent to the fire ring in designated campsites or within a 3-foot diameter cleared of flammable materials. Smokers must take care that all cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
In the frontcountry and developed areas, smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles, single-family dwellings, developed campgrounds, day-use picnic areas or within a 3-foot diameter area that is cleared of flammable material. Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings in day-use picnic areas and the following developed campgrounds: Madison, Mammoth, Slough Creek, Tower Fall, Canyon, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Grant Village and Bridge Bay. The park advises that campfires must be attended at all times and must be soaked, stirred, extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving unattended.
Also permitted in the frontcountry are self-contained stoves, charcoal grills, and stoves and lanterns that use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum or gas fuel. According to the press release, fully-enclosed sheepherder stoves with a ¼-inch spark-arrestor screen are permitted in areas cleared of flammable materials within a 3-foot radius.
The following are always prohibited:
- Discharging fireworks and firearms
- Using explosives or pyrotechnic devices
- Abandoning or failing to attend a campfire
- Driving vehicles off road
- Smoking in thermal areas and all posted and designated areas, such as trails
- Having wood campfires at the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Shoshone Lake backcountry campsites or any backcountry campsite without a rock or metal fire ring to contain the fire
Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect on the same day, Aug. 12, in Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest.
