Smoky Haze Over Yellowstone Caused By Fires Outsid
Incident: Beaverdam Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 8/1/2007
Large fires burning in Idaho and Western Montana are responsible for a smoky haze over much of Yellowstone National Park.
The latest report from the National Interagency Fire Center shows that most of the large wildland fires burning in the nation are west or northwest of Yellowstone.
Drift smoke from those fires is noticeable over much of the area in and around the park.
The two fires that remain active in Yellowstone are small in comparison to most of the fires in the Northwest, and are contributing very little to the smoke over the region.
A Southern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team is directing the suppression effort on the Owl Fire in the northwest corner of the park. This 2,800 acre fire was reported as 50-percent contained this morning.
The Beaverdam Fire deep in the backcountry near the Southeast Arm of Yellowstone Lake is now estimated at 729 acres. It is being managed as a Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefit, since it is good for the ecosystem and doesn't pose a threat to people or property. Firefighters continue to actively monitor the Beaverdam Fire on the ground, from fire lookouts, and from the air. The Beaverdam Fire may produce a smoke column visible for several miles during the afternoon and evening.
Yellowstone National Park aggressively works to put out all human-caused fires and any naturally occurring fires when they threaten people or developed areas.
All visitor services, park entrances and park roads are open. The Dailey Creek trail in the northwest corner of the park has reopened for day use, due to decreased fire activity and containment efforts on the Owl Fire. Other trails and backcountry campsites in the area remain temporarily closed. Two backcountry campsites near the Beaverdam Fire are also temporarily closed. Updated information is available by calling the Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 during business hours.
There have been twelve fires in Yellowstone National Park this year. Fire restrictions have been in effect in Yellowstone National Park since July 3.
Information on the Beaverdam Fire is available on the web at http://inciweb.org/incident/875/. Information on Yellowstone National Park's Wildland Fire Management program is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.
- www.nps.gov/yell -
