YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – Lightning from recent thunderstorms has started a small fire inside the
northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park, along the Montana-Wyoming
border.
The Blacktail Fire was reported shortly after 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon.
It is located a little over a mile north of the entrance to Blacktail
Plateau Drive, which is along the road linking Mammoth Hot Springs and
Tower Junction.
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the fire was approximately five acres in size. Due
to its location, dry conditions, and a forecast for dry thunderstorms
Friday, the decision was made to suppress this fire.
Eight smoke jumpers and a helicopter with five firefighters and a bucket
for water drops were already on scene late Thursday afternoon. A Canadian
air tanker is expected over the fire early Thursday evening to help control
the fire.
Smoke may be visible at times from the road, and on the Mount Washburn Fire
Lookout Web Cam go.usa.gov/wS9. No roads, campgrounds or trails are
closed because of this fire, and it poses no threat to visitors.
The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is currently “Very High.” The
National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for all of
northwest Wyoming for Friday afternoon and evening due to expected critical
fire weather conditions.
This is the fifth fire reported in Yellowstone this year. The first fires
of the season were all started by people and were less than a quarter-acre
in size.
Temporary fire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are permitted only
in established fire grates in picnic areas or campgrounds. They are not
allowed in the backcountry. Portable stoves and lanterns which use
propane, white gas, kerosene, or jellied petroleum for fuel are allowed
anywhere in the park. Fully enclosed sheepherder-type stoves are also
permitted, if they are fitted with a spark arrester screen. The use of
portable charcoal grills is prohibited.
Smoking is prohibited along all trails and anywhere in the backcountry.
Smoking is allowed in vehicles and along roads, near buildings, and in
developed campgrounds or picnic areas if you are standing in an area at
least three feet in diameter where nothing on the ground will burn.
