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The 2021 Yellowstone fire season has begun, as crews work to suppress the Elk Creek Fire, 0.1 acre in size and located in the northern portion of the Park.
Specifically, the Elk Creek Fire is located on a ridge south of Blacktail Drive and west of Petrified Tree in the northern part of the park. Normally you would not see efforts to suppress a fire like this, but NPS officials say they are taking this action because of the fire’s location.
While this fire is quite small, the fear is that it’s a harbinger of what’s turning out to be a hot, dry summer in both Yellowstone National Park and across the Mountain West. Right now the 2021 Yellowstone fire danger level is high and the 2021 Grand Teton fire danger level is very high. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. There currently are no other fire restrictions in Yellowstone, but if present trends continue, we could see an upgrade of the fire danger level and plenty of other incidents in the 2021 Yellowstone fire season.
RELATED STORIES: Grand Teton fire danger rating raised to very high; Yellowstone fire danger level raised to high; Grand Teton fire danger upgraded to high; Yellowstone fire danger level now at moderate
