Druid Fires Continue to Smoulder in Yellowstone National Park

The six fires comprising the Druid Fire Complex continue to smoulder in Yellowstone National Park, with activity expected to diminish despite warmer weather and the chance of thunderstorms over the weekend.

Activity was still light on all Druid fires with visible smoke reported on the Alder, Alum and Druid fires. The campgrounds on the west side of Promontory Point have been cleared of charred snags but the general area still has potential fire activity and will remain closed. The campsites (5L8, 5L9) on the northeast portion of Promontory Point are being opened.

Still, there’s activity to note, and officials are curtailing some Park access because of Druid fires. The Alum Fire is smoldering in close proximity to the Grand Loop Road corridor between the Mud Volcano site and the Fishing Bridge. For public safety, the closure of the west-side highway pullouts designated by orange cones between Nez Perz Ford and LeHardy’s Rapids continues.

Today’s weather forecast calls for a gradual warming trend into the weekend where a moist southwest flow will continue with a lesser chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms. (In fact, the rest of September is slated for warmer-than-normal weather; great time to plan a fall trip.) If showers occur, they will likely be very local and brief with either heavy rain or small hail. Winds on the ridges can be expected to gust in the 15 to 25 mph range as these thunderstorms approach.

Fire managers will be taking an aerial reconnaissance flight late this afternoon to observe fire movement in the past few days.  Of special concern will be the Druid Fire, which has visible smoke from the highway but no easy access to actually determine any needs or public safety concerns.

Image of fire personnel taken Aug. 21, Alum Fire. Courtesy National Park Service.