Lone Star Fire

Lone Star Fire grows to 821 acres

More Lone Star Fire growth yesterday, as increased temperatures and gusty winds fueled an expansion to the east in Yellowstone National Park.

The Lone Star Fire growth is not even, with the majority of the spread happening away from the developed Old Faithful area. In addition, there were a number of small spot fires in front of the active perimeter, as far as 1/2 mile out. One large spot fire to the south of the main fire was detected by an infrared flight Tuesday night. 

The incident management team now overseeing the Lone Star Fire ordered additional resources yesterday, including personnel and machinery to assist with implementing a fire protection plan for multiple areas surrounding the fire. 

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 Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remains closed.

Crews will focus on creating fire protection plans for developed areas as well as monitor Lone Star Fire growth. Though the fire continues its spread to the northeast away from Old Faithful, the infrastructure in the area is included in the developing structure protection plan. Fire crews assessed an aboveground power line and water treatment facility. Additionally, personnel worked with park concessions to test the sprinkler system on the park’s iconic Old Faithful Inn. 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.

RELATED STORIES: Lone Star Fire growth: Almost 800 acres; Lone Star Fire closes Grand Loop Road near Old Faithful

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