Date: August 12, 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 12, 2007 6:15 PM 07-64
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2010 or 344-2012
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Yellowstone’s East Entrance Temporarily Closed Due To Fire Threat
Link to photo of Columbine Fire from Yellowstone Lake in front of Fishing Bridge Visitor Center - 8/12/07 at 6:45 PM
The East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park has been temporarily closed due to the proximity of the Columbine Fire to the East Entrance road.
Park rangers closed the road at the East Entrance station and the Pelican Creek barricade near Fishing Bridge at about 4:15 this afternoon.
Visitors traveling between Cody and the Fishing Bridge area are being routed around through Canyon, Tower Junction, the Northeast Entrance, and the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway.
The Columbine Fire was estimated at 3,000 acres earlier today. Gusty south winds have resulted in extreme fire behavior and fire growth this afternoon. The latest fire size estimate is 12,000 acres.
It is unknown how long the temporary road closure will be in place. Updated road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
Recorded information on the Columbine Fire is available 24-hours a day by calling 307-344-2580, or on the web at http://inciweb.org/incident/920/.
- www.nps.gov/yell -
