Date: August 14, 2007
Contact: Terina Mullen, 307-242-7649
COLUMBINE FIRE FACT SHEET
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officer Terina Mullen
Phone: (307) 242-7649
The East Entrance Road into Yellowstone will re-open at 8:00 a.m. this morning.
What: Wildland fire, lightning caused
Started: August 9, 2007 6:00 p.m.
Location: 46 miles southeast of Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park
Jurisdiction: Yellowstone National Park
Cooperating Agencies: Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone National Forest, Cody Rural FD, Park County Sheriff.
Incident Commander & Team: A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT), under Incident Commander Mark Grant assumed command as of 8:00 a.m. August 12, 2007.
Current size: 10,000 acres Containment: 0%
Yesterday’s Activities: Fire operations specialists assessed structure protection needs along the eastern boundary of the Park and further east along the north fork corridor. Helicopters dropped water to cool the fire and air tankers dropped retardant to slow the spread of the fire along the northern and northeastern flanks; all aircraft were grounded in the afternoon due to heavy winds. Once the winds subsided as a thunderstorm moved through the area, aircraft resumed operations and conducted a reconnaissance flight over the fire. Portions of the fire did receive some precipitation, but coverage was not widespread. Fire behavior moderated after midnight and included isolated tree torching and smoldering.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident is 79. Resources assigned include one helicopter, seven engines and one water tender.
Today’s Strategy: Fire managers will continue to work with local cooperators to assess structure protection needs along the park’s eastern boundary. The East Gate Road will re-open to traffic this morning. Motorists are encouraged to keep the flow of traffic moving and not stop along the road between the East Gate and Eleanor Lake. If fire activity increases, compromising safety, fire officials may opt to close the road to ensure safety of the public and firefighters. Weather conditions are predicted to moderate slightly throughout the week, resulting in more favorable conditions for firefighting efforts.
Special Messages: Firefighter and public safety is always the #1 priority on any fire incident. Visitors to the park need to be especially mindful of the increased traffic from the East Entrance to the Fishing Bridge Area.
Prevention Messages: Fire restrictions are in effect in Yellowstone National Park. Wood fires and charcoal grills will be allowed only in designated fire rings or grates at picnic areas, developed campgrounds and at some backcountry campsites. Portable camp stoves and lanterns which use white gas, kerosene, compressed gas or similar fuels and sheepherder-type stoves with spark arrester screens may be used at picnic areas, developed campgrounds and in the backcountry. Smoking is permitted only inside vehicles, on sidewalks, in gravel or paved parking areas, in developed campgrounds, immediately adjacent to backcountry fire rings and in designated smoking areas inside buildings. Fireworks are prohibited in the Park and on all surrounding National Forest lands.
Stage I Fire Restrictions are in place on adjacent lands administered by the Shoshone National Forest. Campfires are allowed only in designated recreation sites. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, buildings and areas void of vegetation.
For further fire information, visit: http://inciweb.org/incident/920/
