We’re officially in fire season in Yellowstone National Park, as the 190-acre Snake Fire is burning in heavy timber about three miles east of the South Entrance.
The impact so far has been minimal to Yellowstone visitors as some trails near Yellowstone’s South Entrance have been temporarily closed:
- South Boundary Trail at South going east.
- South of the Junction of Heart Lake Trail and Basin Creek Cut-off Trail.
- South of the Basin Creek Cut-Off and Snake River Trail Junction
- West of the junction of the Snake River Trail and the South Boundary Trail on the east side of Big Game Ridge.
- The point where the Colter Creek Trail Crosses Wolverine Creek.
In addition, the following campsites are closed to reservations until further notice as a result of the Snake Fire: 8C1, 8C2, 8C4, 8C6, 8C7, and 8B2.
However, all roads leading into and through the parks and the forest and all campgrounds, lodging, stores, and visitor services are open. At times a tall smoke column rising above the fire may be seen from locations a very long distance away from the fire.
Today, firefighters continued their efforts to protect a backcountry patrol cabin. Firefighters will also hike in to staff the Mt. Sheridan Fire Lookout. Another crew will staff a Type 6 wildland engine and begin developing plans for structure protection around the park’s South Entrance should it be needed. By evening, management of the fire will be based out of an Incident Command Post at Grant Village.
Fire management is being jointly shared by Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
Weather won’t assist in managing the Snake Fire: there’s a slight chance of thunderstorms tomorrow, but apart from that clear weather is in the forecast.