Date: July 27, 2007
Contact: Al Nash, (307) 344-2010
Contact: Stacy Vallie, (307) 344-2012
A fire deep in the backcountry near the southeast arm of Yellowstone Lake remains quiet today after receiving significant, steady rainfall the past two evenings.
Well over an inch of rain has fallen on the Beaverdam Fire since Wednesday afternoon. The lightning-caused fire, located a dozen miles south-southwest of the park’s East Entrance, is now estimated at 630 acres.
The Beaverdam Fire is being actively managed as a Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefits, since it benefits the ecosystem and doesn’t pose a threat to people or property. Firefighters aggressively work to put out all human-caused fires and any naturally occurring fires when they threaten people or the park’s developed areas.
Firefighters are monitoring the Beaverdam Fire and changing weather conditions on the ground, from the park’s fire lookout towers, and by regular aerial reconnaissance. Smoke from the fire can produce a smoke column visible for several miles when actively burning.
All visitor services, park entrances and roads are open. Backcountry campsites 5E1 and 6B4 are closed. The Thorofare Trail remains open, but backcountry users are being advised that the status of the trail could change on short notice. 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. Only the Beaverdam and Owl fires are actively burning. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is directing efforts to suppress the Owl Fire burning in the northwest corner of the park.
Fire restrictions have been in effect in the park since July 3.
Information on the Beaverdam Fire is available on the web at http://inciweb.org/incident/875/. Further updates are not scheduled, but will be issued if significant changes on the fire warrant.
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 -