Small Fire Burning in Lamar Valley

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2009 09-056
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015

Small Fire Burning In Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley

A weekend lightning strike has started a small fire in the northeast section of Yellowstone National Park.

The Druid Fire was discovered Monday evening. It is burning on the southwest slope of Druid Peak, north of the Northeast Entrance Road, a little over a mile and a half east of the Buffalo Ranch, and nearly 16 miles southwest of Cooke City, Montana.

The fire is less than a half-acre in size. Based on the current fire weather forecast, the Druid Fire is expected to grow slowly, but may produce a smoke plume visible from the road.

Yellowstone National Park is a fire adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of this area’s wildlife and vegetation.

Public and firefighter safety is always the park’s first concern and priority. Firefighters are monitoring the fire and developing management strategies.

Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning. When possible, these fires are managed to protect people and property, enhance the area’s natural resources where appropriate, and effectively use available firefighting resources.

This is the fourth fire reported in Yellowstone National Park this summer. All have been caused by lightning. This is the first fire to grow beyond one-tenth of an acre in size.

The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is "Moderate". The weather forecast calls for sunny to partly cloudy skies and a chance of isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms for the next several days.