Buffalo Fire Discovered Burning Northwest of Tower Junction In Yellowstone

A new fire has been reported in Yellowstone National Park.

Saturday afternoon, August 13, crews discovered the Buffalo Fire on Buffalo Plateau, approximately five miles northwest of Tower Junction and four miles south of the Park’s northern boundary, in a fire scar left by the 1988 Yellowstone fires. According to Inciweb, Buffalo Fire currently measures an acre in size.

Maple Fire, meanwhile, has grown to 501 acres. According to a Yellowstone press release, firefighters are gathering fuel samples today to assist in fire growth modeling. Like Buffalo Fire, Maple Fire is burning in a fire scar created during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. You can see a photo of Maple Fire above, taken Friday, August 12.

Fawn Fire, according to Inciweb, is still burning at 936 acres. We previously reported that crews had been removed from the scene as the fire was “burning at a lower intensity” and therefore did not require constant monitoring.

Pocket Fire, meanwhile, is officially out. We previously reported that crews had the fire controlled as of Saturday morning, August 13.

According to a Yellowstone press release, crews are managing Buffalo, Fawn, and Maple Fires “under a combination of monitoring and point-protection strategies.” The release adds that the Custer Gallatin National Forest has expressed approval at how Yellowstone is handling the Buffalo Fire.

Smoke is still visible from the Maple Fire along U.S. 191 and portions of the Grand Loop Road.

Although Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are still in place for all of Yellowstone National Park, none of the fires pose any threat to visitors or visitor hubs along the Grand Loop Road.

There are no new trail and campsite closures to announce at this time.

About Sean Reichard

Sean Reichard is the editor of Yellowstone Insider and author of Yellowstone Insider For Families 2017.

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