Yellowstone implements Stage 1 fire restrictions

Yellowstone National Park has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. The restrictions took effect at noon Monday due to continued hot, dry weather, and recent wildfire activity both inside and outside the park.

Fire activity is expected to increase in coming days as temperatures rise, relative humidity levels drop and gusty winds increase. The extended weather forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms.

Under Stage 1 restrictions:

• Charcoal or wood fires of any sort are prohibited at the park backcountry campsites.
• There are no fire restrictions in park campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, and employee residential areas within provided fire rings.
• Portable stoves and lanterns which use pressurized liquid, jellied petroleum, or gas fuel and fully enclosed, sheep-herder type stoves with a inch spark-arrestor screen are permitted park-wide in areas where ground cover and overhead vegetation is cleared within three feet of the device.
• 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. Smoking is prohibited on all trails and thermal areas.

Other activities are never permitted in Yellowstone National Park:

• Discharge of fireworks or firearms
• Use of explosives or pyrotechnic devices
• Abandoning or failing to attend a campfire
• Driving a vehicle off-road
• Smoking in all thermal areas and all posted and designated areas such as trails
• Wood fires at the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Shoshone Lake backcountry campsites or any backcountry campsite without a provided rock or metal fire ring.

There have been 10 fires in the park this year. People caused 4 of the fires and 6 were the result of lightning strikes. 8 fires are out.

The Fawn fire was estimated at 915 acres as of 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 7. Efforts to monitor the fire and complete structure protection at the Fawn Pass backcountry cabin continue. The Hornady fire, which was reported on Sunday, August 7, is less than one acre and is being suppressed by three NPS firefighters.