New Brimstone Fire Reported in Yellowstone

It’s been a relatively quiet fire season in Yellowstone despite a fire danger being assessed as high, and we have another small wildfire to note: the Brimstone Fire, located on the eastern shore of Yellowstone Lake.

This small (0.5-acre in size) fire was detected on the afternoon of August 26, east of Yellowstone Lake (the location is mapped out below). It was likely caused by lightning and burning in a spruce and fir forest. For safety reasons, the Brimstone Bay campsite 5E4 near the Thorofare Trail is closed until further notice. However, due to low fire activity, the Thorofare Trail remains open.

Besides the Brimstone Fire, there are three wildfires currently under observation in Yellowstone National Park. (All fire activity can be tracked here.) The Pollux Fire, first detected on the evening of August 3 from the Mount Washburn fire lookout, is still regarded as an active fire and being monitored. While performing an aerial reconnaissance on the morning of August 4, Shoshone National Forest fire staff located the fire in the vicinity of Pollux Peak. Mapped at 30 acres, the remote fire does not pose an immediate threat to established trails, backcountry campsites, or patrol cabins.

Detected on August 18: The Carnelian Fire, one mile west of Dunraven Pass. This is a small wildfire, estimated at a tenth of an acre. It is still regarded as an active fire, albeit smoldering, and being monitored.

Detected by a medical aircraft on August 21: the Wyodaho Fire, about three-quarter-mile east of Wyodaho Lake in the Bechler District. The one-acre fire is smoldering and creeping in grass and open timber. It  is less than a mile from the Bechler River Trail and is about 600 feet above the trail. Currently there are no trail or campsite closures associated with this fire although a one-mile diameter area closure has been implemented to provide a margin of safety around the fire area.

Map and photo courtesy National Park Service.