Firefighting Crews Suppress 3 Fires In Yellowstone NP

The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is labeled as high, and firefighting crews were recently engaged in battling 3 of them.

The Gray Fire was discovered by a passing aircraft this past Monday (August 29th).

It was determined that it was lightning caused and burned about 1/10th of an acre.

The park’s Helitack crew contained the fire.

The Telemark Fire was first reported by West Yellowstone Smokejumpers about 2 weeks ago, on US Highway 191 between mile markers 17 and 18 on the west side of the park.

It was also determined to be lightning caused and the fire burned an area of brush and timber about 10 feet by 10 feet in size.

That fire has been suppressed and crews are monitoring the area, until they deem it is out.

The first fire of the summer 2022 season was the Obsidian Fire, which happened on July 20th, courtesy of a vehicle fire in the Old Faithful parking lot.

Flames moved from the vehicle to the grass and burned a nearby pine tree.

It was about 1/10th of an acre in size and was extinguished a short time later.

Park officials say there are no fire restrictions in the park, however park staff are monitoring conditions and may put restrictions in place if wildland fuel areas continue to dry out.

Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites.