Fire in heart of Yellowstone causes road closure

A wildfire in the heart of Yellowstone National Park has forced a temporary closure of a 7.5-mile section of the Grand Loop Road.

The section closed is between Fishing Bridge Junction and South Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Park officials had earlier closed 13 miles of the road, but that was reduced.

In the meantime, more firefighters are arriving to bolster defenses against the Alum Fire.

Although four other fires in the park are in remote areas well away from developed areas, the Alum Fire is close enough to facilities along the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake to cause some concern.

About 150 firefighters and equipment are being positioned in the Lake, Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay areas in case the fire threatens those areas.

Started by lightning last week, the fire has burned about seven square miles.