Update: Smoke from Berry Fire forces closure of park highway

UPDATE 8/23/16 8:15 a.m.

Because of heavy smoke created by the Berry fire, the Flagg Ranch and Headwaters Campground in Grand Teton National Park were evacuated early Tuesday morning. Park Rangers, who helped with the evacuation, encouraged people to cooperate with instructions.

Headwaters Lodge was also being evacuated due to potential for continued fire growth to the north.

US Highway 89/191/287 is still closed north and south bound between Flagg Ranch and Leeks Marina until further notice. There is no access to Yellowstone National Park from Grand Teton National Park at this time.

Trail closures are also in place.

The Park said there is no estimated time for reopening the highway or lifting the evacuation order.

Lizard Creek Campground is already under an evacuation order.

The Berry Fire grew rapidly under Red Flag conditions Monday, across Jackson Lake and Highway 89.

The fire is now established across both sides of Highway 89 and burning to the northeast in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Fire managers anticipate that lower than average fuel moisture combined with hotter and drier weather will continue to drive increased fire activity over the next few days.

The Berry Fire, which started by lightning about 19 miles northwest of Moran, Wyoming on July 25th, is now estimated at 6,319 acres.

Update 8/22/2016 7:45 pm:

As the Berry Fire continues to grow, the National Park Service has ordered that the park highway be closed between Leeks Marina on the south and Flagg Ranch on the north. Heavy smoke from the fire has made driving conditions unsafe. The road is expected to stay closed until at least Tuesday.

The Lizard Creek Campground has also been closed and evacuated. The southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park is also closed at this time

Original Story: Grand Teton National Park is continuing to monitor the Berry fire. The lightning caused fire is now estimated at 1,785 acres. Most of the recent growth of the fire is on the southeast flank of the fire near Elk Ridge.

Trail closures are in effect and public information posts have been established.

The fire is being managed to protect people and property, but allow it to naturally enhance natural resources.

Smoke is visible along roadways in the northern portion of the park. Increased fire activity is expected over the next few days.