Yellowstone Insider Your Complete Guide to America's First National Park
Three Yellowstone fires continue to grow in size during dry weather conditions, but services are not impacted, and no temporary road closures are imminent.
The largest of the three, the Alum (pronounced AL-umm, not ah-LUM) Fire, burned less actively Monday compared to the weekend. It grew by about 500 acres yesterday, and the fire perimeter is now estimated to cover 4,500 acres. However, the towering afternoon smoke column that developed both Saturday and Sunday was curtailed on Monday.
The fire perimeter remains within a mile of the Grand Loop Road south of Mud Volcano, and there is the potential for temporary closures of the road between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge Junction.
Mud Volcano, LeHardy Rapids, and several picnic areas and pullouts, as well as some backcountry trails in the area are temporarily closed.
More firefighting personnel and equipment are arriving daily, with an estimated 150 fire personnel expected to be on hand in Yellowstone by Tuesday evening. Multiple structural and wildland fire engines and portable pumps and hoses are now located in the Lake, Fishing Bridge, and Bridge Bay area. Fire mangers continue focus on protection of the road corridor, the boardwalk in Mud Volcano, and on structure protection efforts in Fishing Bridge, Lake Village and Bridge Bay.
While area evacuations are not imminent, preparations are underway to assist residents and visitors in leaving the Fishing Bridge, Lake Village, and Bridge Bay area in the event that an evacuation is necessary in the coming days.
The Alder Fire burned actively Monday afternoon, moving northward all the way to the north and west shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. It is now estimated to cover 3,000 acres. This fire is on a peninsula at the south end of the lake and is therefore hemmed in by water on three sides and by a recently burned area to the south. All backcountry campsites on The Promontory have been temporarily closed.
The Druid Fire grew to the west on Monday, but remains high above the Northeast Entrance road on Druid Peak. It is now estimated at 100 acres and is situated on the north side of the peak.
There are other smaller fires burning in Yellowstone as well. The Passage Fire, discovered Thursday at the south end of Yellowstone Lake, remains quiet and is just half an acre in size. A little smoke was again seen on the Snake Fire, located three miles east of the South Entrance along the boundary with the Bridger-Teton National Forest. It remains estimated at 200 acres.
Today’s weather may cooperate with a little fire suppression. The forecast is for some clouds, slightly cooler temperatures and slightly higher afternoon relative humidity. There is a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly to the south and east of the Park, which could bring some gusty winds over the fires.
Though Yellowstone officials are planning for the worst, at this time all roads leading into and through the Park and the surrounding forest and all campgrounds, lodging, stores, and visitor services are open. Updated road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307/344-2117.
