Yellowstone Insider Your Complete Guide to America's First National Park
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are set to go into effect noon MST Thursday, September 1, in Yellowstone National Park.
The Park had been under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for most of August; these restrictions will still apply, according to a Yellowstone press release. Stage 2 restrictions (which are more stringent) have been called due to severe weather conditions and ongoing fire activity throughout Yellowstone.
Below is the list of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, courtesy of the Park Service :
• Charcoal or wood fires of any sort that may produce ash or embers are prohibited at the park’s backcountry campsites, 11 developed campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, and employee residential areas.
• Smoking is not permitted except in an enclosed vehicle, single-family dwelling, developed campground, day-use picnic area, or within a three foot diameter area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Smoking is prohibited in the backcountry, except immediately adjacent to the provided fire ring or in the aforementioned barren or cleared area.
• Employees, concessionaires, permittees, contractors, and persons operating within the park who are engaging in spark-producing activities including, but not limited to, road side mowing, welding, grinding, blasting, powersaw, or heavy equipment operation in any area that is not barren or cleared at least 10 feet in diameter of all burnable vegetation shall consult with the Fire Management Office (307-344-2182) prior to starting their project to ensure adequate wildfire prevention measures are being taken. One round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A, and a patrol of the work area for one hour after activities have ceased are recommended wildfire prevention measures.
• All internal and external combustion engines must have a spark-arresting device in effective working order.
Visitors and campers will still be able to use stoves (including fully enclosed sheepherder stoves) and lanterns that use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum, or gas fuel—so long as the stove or lantern is in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and adjacent flammable material. Stoves and lanterns are not permitted within three feet of flammable materials.
In addition, the following activities are always prohibited in Yellowstone National Park, irrespective of any immediate fire danger:
• Discharge of fireworks or firearms
• Use of explosives or pyrotechnic devices
• Abandoning or failing to attend a campfire
• Driving a vehicle off-road
• Smoking in all thermal areas and all posted and designated areas such as trails
• Wood fires at the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Shoshone Lake backcountry campsites or any backcountry campsite without a provided rock or metal fire ring.
