Lone Star Fire growth: Almost 800 acres

We’re in the prime Yellowstone fire season, so it’s no surprise that the Lone Star Fire growth is now measured at almost 800 acres, as it moves northeast and away from the developed Old Faithful area.

The Lone Star Fire was reported on Saturday, August 22, at 5:15 p.m., and immediately attracted attention because its original location was approximately three miles southeast of the developed Old Faithful area. The lightning-ignited wildfire comes at a time when the fire danger at Yellowstone National Park is rated as very high, with campfires in the backcountry now prohibited and lightning activity heavy throughout the park this past week.

The Wyoming Team 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) was ordered Sunday because of high fire severity in the park and limited resources due to widespread national fire activity. The IMT took over management of the fire Monday morning and will work with park fire resources and staff during the incident. Thirty-seven personnel are currently assigned to the fire. 

Crews will focus on creating fire protection plans for developed areas as well as monitor Lone Star Fire growth. Fire suppression efforts will be based on the fire’s movement towards park infrastructure such as historic buildings, a water treatment plant, communication towers, and other resources at risk. The IMT will monitor smoke and fire spread as part of a closure management plan to determine when the Grand Loop Road may reopen to public or administrative travel.

Additional closures include Lone Star Geyser Trail and:

• The following trailheads are closed due to the Lone Star Fire: Lone Star, Howard Eaton, DeLacy Creek.
• The following trails are closed due to the Lone Star Fire: Howard Eaton, Lone Star, Bechler River Trail north of campsite 9D4, North Shore Shoshone Lake Trail, DeLacy Creek Trail, Shoshone Lake Trail north of campsite 8T1 (no travel through the Shoshone Lake Geyser Basin), East Shore Shoshone Lake Trail (north of campsite 8S1).
• The following campsites are closed due to the Lone Star Fire: OA1, OA2, OA3, 8G1, 8R1, 8R2, 8R3, 8R4, 8R5, 8S2, 8S3, 8S4, 8S5.

Photo of fire from Aug. 23 via InciWeb.

This article originally appeared in the free weekly Yellowstone Insider newsletter. Are you a subscriber? Sign up here!