Gusty winds fuel Lone Star Fire spread

Warm temperatures and gusty winds boosted a Lone Star Fire spread to 960 acres yesterday, as the blaze moved into unburned pockets along the fire’s edge throughout the day.

That we are seeing very favorable conditions for Yellowstone fires–plenty of dry areas–the fact that Lone Star Fire is the only documented wildfire currently in the park is a little surprising, to be sure. And it’s not as though Lone Star Fire is a rampaging menace; instead, it seems to be a very deliberate plodder, adding 100 or so acres a day.

Which is what happened yesterday, as the Lone Star Fire spread was measured by National Park Service officials as 950 acres, up from approximately 850 acres on Saturday. The winds are due to a cold front entering Yellowstone, which will lead to a high of 49 degrees and only a 20 percent chance of rain tomorrow, per weather.com. But lacking in the 10-day forecast: any appreciable amounts of rain, while higher temps are on tap for the end of the week.

As a result, the fire-management tools were increased yesterday, with the goal strengthening protections around key Old Faithful infrastructure. According to inciweb:

…crews finished the first phase of chipping at the water treatment plant and continued cutting timber around the cell tower. Work will continue on Sunday near an aboveground power line, substation, and park cabins. A park resource team finished an archeological survey in the Old Faithful developed area and will now focus on mapping sensitive riparian habitat and rare plants. This information will help the incident management team minimize impacts to these important natural resources.

You can view a larger version of the fire map here.

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.

RELATED STORIES: Lone Star Fire now at 850 acres; Storms stymie Lone Star Fire spread; Lone Star Fire grows to 821 acres; Lone Star Fire growth: Almost 800 acres; Lone Star Fire closes Grand Loop Road near Old Faithful