Fire Activity Projected To Increase in Yellowstone Later This Week

Fires in Yellowstone National Park are expected to pick up later this week after a period of rain and cool weather.

Right now, the forecast calls for “typical fall weather conditions,” including dry, breezy days and cooler nights.

Select visitor facilities, including most of Tower Junction and Roosevelt, have closed for the season. With the exception of Slough Creek Campground, these closures were seasonal and scheduled, and have nothing to do with fire activity

Air quality continues to improve, especially around West Yellowstone. Moderate smoke is expected tomorrow around Duck Creek. See the full forecast below.

We previously reported that two new lightning-caused fires had sparked in Yellowstone. Petrified Fire, which started near Petrified Tree outside Tower Junction, was immediately suppressed. The second incident, Jasper Fire, started near Specimen Ridge, east of Tower. It is currently an acre in size. At this time it is unstaffed and will be monitored from the air, since it is burning in a small patch of trees and poses no immediate danger at this time.

Yesterday, approximately one-quarter inch of rain fell on the Maple Fire, slowing its growth. Parts continue to smolder, however. As of writing, it has grown to 41,136 acres, a mere 673-acre increase since our last report. Firefighters continue to work on the fire along the West Entrance Road, with engines and crews patrolling the Maple Fire’s edge. Roadside pullouts between the West Entrance and Madison Junction are open at this time.

The Buffalo Fire is still burning on 10,787 acres. You can see it from the Mount Washburn Fire Lookout – Northeast Webcam. Crews will be working on the fire’s east side where it crossed Slough Creek. It has not crossed Slough Creek Trail at this time.

Both Fawn and Central Fires showed no increase in size since yesterday. Both will stay unstaffed, although crews will monitor each from the air. You can see the Central Fire from time to time on the Mount Washburn Fire Lookout – South Webcam.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are still in place for Yellowstone National Park. All park roads and the remaining visitor facilities, both NPS- and concessionaire-operated, are open at this time.