Bacon Rind Fire, Aug. 13

Two More Yellowstone Fires Reported; Bacon Rind Fire Impacts Traffic

We have two more Yellowstone fires reported — one already contained, one out — as the Bacon Rind Fire expands to 1,388 acres and causes Park officials to potentially deploy pilot cars due to heavy smoke.

The growth of the Bacon Rind Fire to 1,388 acres, or some 60 acres since Tuesday, wasn’t too dramatic, but it did some after a good soaking that dampened down the smoke temporarily. Despite the rain, Yellowstone officials warn of potential delays on Highway 191 that may call for the use of pilot cars, though none have been deployed to date. (You can see how close to Hwy. 191 the Bacon Rind Fire has expanded into Yellowstone via the photo at the top of this page.) Some rain forecast for Saturday may provide a measure of relief.

Besides the potential impacts on Hwy. 191, there are also other closures within Yellowstone National Park. The Bacon Rind Trail both within Yellowstone and the Gallatin National Forest is closed. But that’s just the start. For instance, Fawn Pass Trail is closed from the west boundary of the Gallatin BMA to Fawn Pass Trailhead (WK5) at Hwy. 191 due to the Bacon Rind Fire. Also, access to the Gallatin River along Highway 191 is restricted from the Fawn Pass Trail trailhead north to Milepost 27. There are also other trail closures in the area; check the Backcountry Page for a complete list.

Meanwhile, a hot and dry summer has led to a fire danger rating of very high. The Basin Creek Fire, detected on August 10, doesn’t appeared to be growing, with Park officials reporting it limited to 0.2 acres burning in a forested area 5 miles south of Heart Lake. The Folsom Fire is still reported as active and about an acre in size. The Folsom Fire, caused by lightning and first observed on Aug. 4, is located within the 1988 North Fork Fire scar, in the headwaters of Blacktail Deer Creek on the Blacktail Deer Plateau. It may be visible from the Grand Loop Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt.

The two new Yellowstone fires were caused by lighting and reported on August 14. The Terminal Fire grew to 0.3 acres before being contained, while the Ray Fire quickly burned out at a 0.1 acre. Neither made much of an impact. But with the Yellowstone fire danger rated at very high, you can bet every wisp of smoke will receive plenty of attention in coming weeks.

Image of Bacon Rind Fire courtesy InciWeb.

RELATED STORIES: Bacon Rind Fire Expands; New Yellowstone Fire Reported; It’s HOT HOT HOT in Yellowstone: Fire Danger Raised to Very High; New Yellowstone Fire Emerges; Bacon Rind Fire Keeps Growing, Albeit Slowly; Bacon Rind Fire Expansion at 383 Acres; Growth Slows; Yellowstone Fire Danger Upgraded to High; New Fire Emerges; Bacon Rind Fire Expands to 340 Acres, Now in Yellowstone

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