Summary: Five lightning caused fires continue to burn in the backcountry of Yellowstone Park. Both the Druid and Alder Fires have grown under the recent warm dry weather and are visible from several vantage points in the park. Fire managers are monitoring all of the fires to address public and firefighter safety, and for the protection of structures, communities, and natural and historic resources. Smoke drifting over Yellowstone is primarily from fires in Southwestern Montana and Idaho.
Druid Fire: Friday’s warm dry weather caused the Druid Fire to again increase in size to approximately 30 acres. The growth was to the east and northeast, where it runs into an area burned in 2009. It remains in a steep heavily timbered bowl in the backcountry high above the Northeast Entrance Road on Druid Peak. The lightning caused fire was reported on August 9th. Favorable weather conditions Saturday will most likely increase fire behavior and visitors may see smoke from several vantage points in the park.
Alder Fire: Friday the fire increased its size within heavy timber that is surrounded by Yellowstone Lake to the north, east, and west and is estimated to be approximately 450 acres. This fire was discovered on August 14th on The Promontory at the south end of Yellowstone Lake. The fire is expected to again increase in size Saturday as it burns toward the northeastern edge of the peninsula. Some backcountry campsites on the peninsula are temporarily closed.
Other Fires: A new fire in Yellowstone was discovered Thursday afternoon south of Yellowstone Lake within an old 1988 burned area. It was seen smoldering yesterday within sparse vegetation. Both the remote Alum Fire south of Hayden Valley and the Snake Fire on the southern boundary of Yellowstone Park showed very little activity Thursday. A new fire was also discovered Thursday in the neighboring John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. That small fire is being suppressed.
Weather: Continued hot and dry conditions with increasing afternoon winds and a slight chance of an afternoon or evening shower or thunderstorm are forecast for Yellowstone on Saturday. Sunday is forecast to be slightly cooler and not quite as dry.
Impacts to visitors and area residents: All roads leading into and through the park and the surrounding forest and all campgrounds, lodging, stores, and visitor services are open. These fires pose no threat to visitors or area residents.
Additional information: Fire information is available on the web at http://www.inciweb.org/unit/5382/, or on Twitter @YellowstoneNPS.
– www.nps.gov/yell –