The Spruce Fire in Yellowstone National Park has received a great deal of rainfall overnight Monday, September 14, stalling its growth significantly.
The change in weather comes after Spruce Fire bloomed to over 2,119 acres, due to high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds.
The fire’s size was burning an estimated 2,594 acres as of noon September 14. In the evening, storms moved in; an estimated half-an-inch of rain fell by sunrise September 15. Further, damp weather is projected in Yellowstone for at least the next few days.
Fire crews have noted the Spruce Fire seems to have diminished to a large extent, although portions are still burning. Crews will continue to monitor the fire to ensure it fulfills an ecological function.
The Spruce Fire, burning ten miles west of Fishing Bridge and two miles north of the Hayden Valley, has prompted no trail, facility, or road closures.
In other fire news, the 5L4 fire on Promontory Peninsula continues to burn at an estimated 16 acres, with no marked change or development. The backcountry campsites 5L3, 5L4, and 6A1 are still closed for the time being. In addition, two additional fires were suppressed by fire crews: a human-caused fire September 10 and a lightning-caused fire on the northwest boundary September 12.
The fire danger in Yellowstone is still “High,” although there are no fire restrictions in place in Yellowstone’s campgrounds, picnic areas, and certain backcountry campsites.