CASPER, Wyo. — Yellowstone National Park said on Tuesday, Aug. 25 that the Lone Star Fire burning about 3 miles southeast of Old Faithful has grown to 763 acres.
The lightning caused fire has led to road and area closures in the park. Yellowstone says that closures include:
- The Grand Loop Road south of Old Faithful between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction
- Many of the trails leading to Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed
The fire was first reported on Saturday “following a week of heavy lightning activity and very high fire danger.”
“As of Monday evening, the fire was estimated at 664 acres and is spreading to the northeast, away from the Old Faithful area,” Yellowstone says.
However, an infrared flight on Monday night confirmed that the fire had grown to 763 acres. It remains 0% contained.
“The Wyoming Team 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) was ordered Sunday because of high fire severity in the park and limited resources due to widespread national fire activity,” Yellowstone adds. “The IMT took over management of the fire Monday morning and will work with park fire resources and staff during the incident. Thirty-seven personnel are currently assigned to the fire.”
“Crews today will focus on creating fire protection plans for developed areas. Fire suppression efforts will be based on the fire’s movement towards park infrastructure such as historic buildings, a water treatment plant, communication towers, and other resources at risk. The IMT will monitor smoke and fire spread as part of a closure management plan to determine when the Grand Loop Road may reopen to public or administrative travel.”
Yellowstone notes that all park entrances remain open and that the Old Faithful developed area and West Thumb Geyser Basin are open.
Yellowstone provides further resources online:
The Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb is closed temporarily due to smoke from the Lone Star Fire. (Note that the original closure was between Kepler Cascades and West Thumb. The updated closure now extends north from Kepler Cascades to Old Faithful.) Visitors can only access Old Faithful from the north. View a road map at go.nps.gov/YELLRoads.
Additional backcountry campsite and trail closures around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are in effect. Visit the Backcountry Situation Report for details.
Campfires in the backcountry are not allowed. Read more about backcountry fire restrictions.
Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone.
For up-to-date road information visit go.nps.gov/YellRoads, call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777. Yellowstone
