Continued hot, dry conditions and a potential for increased fire activity have prompted Yellowstone National Park to reinstate fire restrictions and close some hiking trails and backcountry campsites.
The Dewdrop Fire, several miles east of Canyon Village, is the largest of five fires actively burning in the park. It is currently estimated at 25 acres. As a precaution, the following backcountry campsites and trail segments north and east of the Dewdrop Fire were closed Monday afternoon:
- Astringent Creek Trail at the junction of the Lower Pelican Creek Trail.
- Upper Pelican Creek Trail at the junction of the Lower Pelican Creek Trail.
- Wapiti Lake Trail East of campsite site 4M2 to Wapiti Lake.
- Fern Lake Trail
- Backcountry campsites 4B1, 4B2, 4B3, 4B4, 4W2, 4W3, 5B1, 5B2, and 5P7.
The fire danger in the park remains Very High.
Because of forecast continued hot and dry conditions, Yellowstone will reinstitute the following fire restrictions, effective noon Wednesday:
- Campfires are allowed only in established fire grates or fire rings in picnic areas or campgrounds. The use of portable charcoal grills is prohibited.
- Any fire which can produce an ash is prohibited in the backcountry.
- You can use portable stoves and lanterns which use propane, white gas, kerosene, or jellied petroleum for fuel anywhere in the park.
- Smoking is prohibited along all trails and anywhere in the backcountry.
- Smoking is allowed in vehicles and along roads, near buildings, and in developed campgrounds or picnic areas if you are standing in an area at least three feet in diameter where nothing on the ground will burn.
The other active fires are the Shoshone, Camera, Range, and Dewdrop 2. The largest of these is just one acre in size.
Other than the listed temporary closures of some backcountry campsites and hiking trails, all park entrances, roads and services are open. None of these fires pose a threat to park visitors.
When actively burning, smoke from the Dewdrop Fire may be visible from park roadways or from the Mount Washburn Fire Lookout Web Cam.
There have been 11 fires reported in Yellowstone this year. Seven were started by lightning, and four were human caused. The largest to-date has been July's 29-acre Blacktail Fire.
Updated information is available 24-hours a day by calling 307-344-2580, or on the web here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Showing posts with label fire restrictions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire restrictions. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Fire Restrictions Lifted for Yellowstone National Park
Recent rainfall received over most of Yellowstone National Park has increased fuel moistures to the point that the prohibition on open campfires has been lifted.
The increased precipitation also helped wildland firefighting crews suppress the Blacktail Fire near the park's northern boundary. The fire, which began July 12 and reached 29 acres, is approximately 95 percent contained, with full containment expected by next week. The 8 smoke jumpers and 5 helitack crew members who initially attacked the fire have been replaced by a 4-person wildland fire crew assigned to the park from Saguaro National Park to assist with mop-up and patrol efforts.
The lifting of the fire restrictions does not remove the responsibility for visitors to ensure that all campfires are fully extinguished, never left unattended, and are only in areas designated for their use. Visitors are reminded to be cautious when smoking in any area where there are combustible fuels.
As always, anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire can be held responsible for the cost of the fire and charged with a crime.
To report any wildland fire observed in Yellowstone National Park, please call 911.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The increased precipitation also helped wildland firefighting crews suppress the Blacktail Fire near the park's northern boundary. The fire, which began July 12 and reached 29 acres, is approximately 95 percent contained, with full containment expected by next week. The 8 smoke jumpers and 5 helitack crew members who initially attacked the fire have been replaced by a 4-person wildland fire crew assigned to the park from Saguaro National Park to assist with mop-up and patrol efforts.
The lifting of the fire restrictions does not remove the responsibility for visitors to ensure that all campfires are fully extinguished, never left unattended, and are only in areas designated for their use. Visitors are reminded to be cautious when smoking in any area where there are combustible fuels.
As always, anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire can be held responsible for the cost of the fire and charged with a crime.
To report any wildland fire observed in Yellowstone National Park, please call 911.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Fire Restrictions in Effect for Yellowstone National Park
Continued hot, dry weather, fire activity in the region, and the current fire danger rating of Very High has prompted Yellowstone National Park to implement temporary fire restrictions effective noon Friday, June 29, 2012.
• Lighting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire of any kind is prohibited in the backcountry including established campsites. Campfires are only allowed in an established fire grate at front country campgrounds, picnic areas, or housing areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
• Smoking is prohibited in the backcountry and on all trails. It is permissible in the front country only in an enclosed vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• All are reminded that the discharge of fireworks in Yellowstone National Park is prohibited and subject to penalties including fines and jail time.
Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire can be held responsible for the costs of the fire and charged with a crime.
To report any wildland fire observed in Yellowstone National Park please call 911.
These temporary restrictions are designed to protect people, property, and the area's natural resources. They will remain in place until further notice and may be elevated, relaxed or rescinded at any time due to changes in weather and fire danger.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
• Lighting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire of any kind is prohibited in the backcountry including established campsites. Campfires are only allowed in an established fire grate at front country campgrounds, picnic areas, or housing areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
• Smoking is prohibited in the backcountry and on all trails. It is permissible in the front country only in an enclosed vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• All are reminded that the discharge of fireworks in Yellowstone National Park is prohibited and subject to penalties including fines and jail time.
Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire can be held responsible for the costs of the fire and charged with a crime.
To report any wildland fire observed in Yellowstone National Park please call 911.
These temporary restrictions are designed to protect people, property, and the area's natural resources. They will remain in place until further notice and may be elevated, relaxed or rescinded at any time due to changes in weather and fire danger.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Partial Fire Restrictions in Effect for Grand Tetons Area
Based upon a current fire danger rating of High and regional fire conditions, Teton Interagency fire managers announced today that partial fire restrictions will begin tomorrow for Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Teton County will also implement similar restrictions.
Fire managers study the moisture content of various fuel types, track current and expected weather conditions, and monitor available fire-fighting resources, as well as the occurrence of human-caused fires, to determine when fire restrictions need to be applied to public lands.
Partial fire restrictions include:
• Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
• Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials (i.e. parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
• Operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
• Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited
• Welding is prohibited in national parks. For national forest locations, welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is only allowed in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter. A chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A must be at the location.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or by imprisonment for more than six months.
Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and it is extremely important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before campers leave their site. Visitors should NEVER leave a fire unattended, and should prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand and ready to use. The fine for an abandoned campfire is $225, but campers can also be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, visitors and local residents alike are reminded that fireworks are NOT permitted in Grand Teton National Park, on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, or in Teton County. It is essential that everyone comply with this regulation, especially given the current fire danger rating and tinder-dry conditions.
To report a fire or smoke in either area, call 307-739-3630.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Fire managers study the moisture content of various fuel types, track current and expected weather conditions, and monitor available fire-fighting resources, as well as the occurrence of human-caused fires, to determine when fire restrictions need to be applied to public lands.
Partial fire restrictions include:
• Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
• Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials (i.e. parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
• Operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
• Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited
• Welding is prohibited in national parks. For national forest locations, welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is only allowed in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter. A chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A must be at the location.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or by imprisonment for more than six months.
Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and it is extremely important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before campers leave their site. Visitors should NEVER leave a fire unattended, and should prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand and ready to use. The fine for an abandoned campfire is $225, but campers can also be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, visitors and local residents alike are reminded that fireworks are NOT permitted in Grand Teton National Park, on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, or in Teton County. It is essential that everyone comply with this regulation, especially given the current fire danger rating and tinder-dry conditions.
To report a fire or smoke in either area, call 307-739-3630.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
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