Date: August 6, 2007
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2010
Contact: Stacy Vallie, 307-344-2012
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2007 07-58
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2010 or 344-2012
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Management Of Owl Fire Returned To Yellowstone
Rain from weekend thunderstorms puts a damper on fire behavior in park
The Southern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team has turned the Owl Fire back to the staff at Yellowstone National Park.
The 2,800 acre fire in the northwest corner of the park is now considered 90 percent contained. The fire received significant rainfall on Saturday and Sunday. At one time, over 400 people were assigned to the Owl Fire. All outside fire resources have been released for rest and reassignment to other fires.
Park firefighters will continue to reinforce, mop up, and patrol the fire line. There are still some unburned trees inside the perimeter of the Owl Fire which could produce smoke on hot, dry, windy days on into the fall.
Rain also fell this weekend on the Beaverdam Fire, near the Southeast Arm of Yellowstone Lake deep in the backcountry. 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. It remains estimated at 748 acres.
Firefighters will continue to actively monitor the Beaverdam Fire on the ground, from fire lookouts, and from the air. When fire activity increases, the Beaverdam Fire has the potential to produce a visible smoke column late in the day.
Wind from Saturday’s thunderstorm knocked a tree down near a powerline in the Madison area. The Brown Trout fire was contained at one-tenth of an acre. Yellowstone National Park aggressively works to put out all human-caused fires and any naturally occurring fires when they threaten people or developed areas.
There have now been thirteen fires in Yellowstone National Park this year. Fire restrictions have been in effect in Yellowstone National Park since July 3. Weekend rainfall has temporarily reduced the fire danger in the park. The forecast calls warm, drier weather in the coming days.
Several large fires are burning north and west of Yellowstone. Smoke from these fires has been drifting over the park at times, resulting in a noticeable haze and smoke smell in the air.
All visitor services, park entrances and park roads are open. Some temporary trail and backcountry campsite closures remain in effect near the Owl Fire. Two backcountry campsites near the Beaverdam Fire which were temporarily closed have reopened for visitor use. Updated information is available by calling the Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 during business hours.
Information on the Beaverdam Fire is available on the web at http://inciweb.org/incident/875/. Further updates on the Owl Fire are not anticipated. Information on Yellowstone National Park’s Wildland Fire Management program is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.
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