Yellowstone National Park - Small Wildland Fire Burning In Yellowstone (U.S. National Park Service)

Date: June 29, 2006
Contact: Nash, (307) 344-2010
Contact: Vallie, (307) 344-2012

A small wildland fire is burning near the road west of Tower Junction in Yellowstone National Park.

The Hellroaring Fire was started by a lightning strike Tuesday afternoon. It is burning in a stand of spruce and fir trees just 100 yards off the road in the shadow of Hellroaring Mountain. The fire is about the size of two picnic tables put together. Visitors may catch a faint smell of smoke while traveling through the area. Firefighters are monitoring the fire, which is expected to burn itself out in a few days.

This is the second lightning-caused fire of the year in Yellowstone. The fire danger inside the park is moderate, which is normal for this time of year. However, larger fires like the one which led to a temporary power outage in the park on Tuesday have recently started on national forests adjacent to the park.

With a long holiday weekend approaching, rangers remind visitors to be extra careful with charcoal grills, campfires and smoking materials. Open fires are only allowed in established fire rings, fire pits, grates or grills. Fires and barbeque grills should not be left unattended. Visitors are reminded they need to completely put out any fire or charcoal briquettes after use.

In addition, the use of any type of fireworks is prohibited in Yellowstone.