More Trails Close As Fires Grow In Yellowstone National Park

As Maple and Buffalo Fires have grown over the past few days, more trails have been closed.

According to a Yellowstone press release, the growth of Maple Fire has closed the Purple Mountain trail. The trailhead is near Madison Campground. The growth of Buffalo Fire, meanwhile, has closed the Bliss Pass Trail between Slough Creek and Pebble Creek trail. In addition, the Slough Creek trail and “associated Day Use area” is now closed.

We previously reported that Maple Fire had grown to 27,101 acres. Buffalo Fire is 2,691 acres. Further, Maple Fire is still one-tenth of a mile from the West Entrance Road. At this time, however, the West road remains open. In the event that smoke and fire increases, pilot cars will be deployed to guide cars traveling along the road. Fire management officials reported at a meeting in West Yellowstone that they expect the Maple Fire to keep moving east where it will run into scree and rock, effectively curbing it.

There are no new closures associated with Fawn Fire, although it has grown to 1,804 acres. Boundary Fire continues to burn, although it is 85 percent contained.

In addition to these new closures, access between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks remains cut off due to smoke from the Berry Fire. Officials originally anticipated the road would open today. Now, however, the road will remain closed indefinitely.

Below is the list of trail and campsite closures currently in effect in Yellowstone National Park, as well as in nearby Custer Gallatin National Forest:

• From the intersection of Highway 191 and Duck Creek Road #2523 (south side of the road), to Yellowstone National Park boundary, including the fishing access road at the end of Duck Creek road, south along YNP line to the north side of the Madison River bluff, then north along east side of Highway 191 back to the starting point, excluding the transfer station and road #6794

Campsites

• WA1

• WB1

• WB3

• WB4

• WB6

• 251

• 252

• 253

• 254

• 256

• 257

• 258

Trails

• Purple Mountain Trail.

• Slough Creek trail and “associated Day Use area.”

• Bliss Pass Trail between Slough Creek and Pebble Creek trail.

• Buffalo Fork Trail from the trailhead at Slough Creek to the Park Boundary.

• Gneiss Creek Trail from the Gneiss Creek Trailhead (WK7) to Seven Mile Bridge Trailhead (WK8).

• Bighorn Pass trail eastbound at the junction of the cut-off trail to the Fawn Pass trail.

• Bighorn Pass trail westbound at Bighorn Pass.

• Fawn Pass trail eastbound at the junction of the cut-off trail to the Big Horn Pass trail.

• Fawn Pass trail westbound at campsite 1F2.

• The cut-off trail between Bighorn and Fawn Pass trails is open.

Currently, all Yellowstone roads and visitor facilities, both NPS- and concessionaire-operated, are still open. Gateway community business are also open 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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