Four fires burn within Yellowstone’s Buffalo Complex
UPDATE: 8-17-16 3:00 p.m.
Five fires are still actively burning within Yellowstone National Park. The Buffalo Complex includes the Fawn, Maple, Buffalo, and Thumb fires.
The Boundary fire is being managed separately. It was estimated at 223 acres and is located about 4 miles north of West Yellowstone. Firefighters have been working to construct a hand line on the south and southwest side of the fire. Fire managers said smoke inversions have limited the ability of aircraft to fly in the early morning.
The Maple Fire has grown to 7,593 acres.
the Buffalo fire is now mapped at 1,362 acres.
The Fawn Fire is now estimated at 936 acres.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Firefighters are managing five fires within the Buffalo Complex at Yellowstone National Park.
The largest is the Maple Fire. It is estimated at 5,000 acres and is located 1 mile east of the Gneiss Creek trail and about 8 miles northeast of West Yellowstone. The fire was caused by lightning on August 8. The WA1 campsite and the entire Gneiss Creek Trail is closed.
The Fawn Fire is estimated at 936 acres. Started by lightning on August 4, the fire is 11 miles west of Mammoth Hot Springs and 13 miles southwest of Gardiner, Montana. Campsites WB1, WB3, WB4, and WB6 are closed as are portions of the Bighorn Pass trail, and parts of Fawn Pass trail.
The Buffalo Fire started by lightning on August 13. It is estimated at 350 acres. No closures are reported as a result.
Two smaller fires were reported Monday afternoon. The Boundary fire is approximately 4 miles north of West Yellowstone. It is estimated at 50 acres.
The Thumb Fire is within half a mile of the Grand Loop Road. It was also reported Monday afternoon and was estimated at 1 acre.
Both the Maple and Buffalo fires showed increased growth and produced smoke columns that were visible in nearby communities and to park visitors.
All roads leading into and through the park are open. All park visitor facilities and businesses in surrounding communities are not impacted and remain open.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place within Yellowstone.
