Yellowstone Arnica Fire Update - Sept. 25 AM

Yellowstone National Park Fire Update - Friday 9/25/09 11 am

ARNICA FIRE

Probable Start Date: September 13, 2009
Reported: September 23, 2009
Cause: Lightning Estimated Size: 250 acres

LOCATION: Five miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground and the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake.

OVERVIEW: The lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest. As of late Thursday afternoon, it was estimated at 250 acres in size and growing as expected. Firefighters are monitoring the fire and actively managing small areas of concern.

RECENT ACTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS: The fire continues pushing to the south toward the power line and the Grand Loop Road. Helicopters will be using bucket drops to cool off the southern head and the west flank of the fire to keep it away from the road and power line corridor.

Smoky conditions are present and expected to continue during the afternoon peak burning period. Visitors are reminded to reduce driving speeds due to smoke along the roadways. No road closures are anticipated at this time.

The fire is expected to grow in the next 24 hours, especially during the peak afternoon burning period. Winds today are expected from the northwest and will continue moving the fire southwesterly, although typical prevailing winds are from the south-southeast and may change at any time. Warm temperatures and low humidity are expected for the day.

IMPACTS TO VISITORS AND AREA RESIDENTS: Smoke and flames will be visible from the Grand Loop Road at times. Check at park visitor centers or backcountry offices for the current status of hiking trails and backcountry campsites in the area. No sites or facilities are currently closed due to fire activity.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Yellowstone National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of the area’s wildlife and vegetation. Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning. Firefighters continue to monitor the Arnica Fire by air, from the ground, and from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout. The fire is being managed in order to protect people and property, enhance the area’s natural resources, and effectively use available firefighting resources.

Fire updates will be issued as conditions warrant. They will be posted to the web at http://www.inciweb.org/ and http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/newsreleases.htm, and will be recorded on the park’s 24-hour fire information line at 307-344-2580.

Yellowstone National Park Fire Update - Friday 9/25/09 6:45 pm

ARNICA FIRE

Probable Start Date: September 13, 2009
Reported: September 23, 2009 Cause: Lightning Estimated Size: 1200 acres

LOCATION: Five miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground and the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake.

OVERVIEW: The lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest. As of late Friday afternoon, it was estimated at 1200 acres in size and growth is expected for the next 48 hours.

RECENT ACTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS: The fire has pushed to the south and crossed into the power line corridor. Power has been switched to generators for the Grant Village area.

The road between Bridge Bay and West Thumb was closed Friday afternoon for safety reasons as the fire approached within ¼ miles of the road. It was reopened to traffic at approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday evening. The public is cautioned that road closures may be necessary starting Saturday morning in anticipation of the active burn period during which time the fire could reach the road.

Visitors can use the following sources to access up-to-date road information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1901/; http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/newsreleases.htm, or by calling the 24-hour road information line at 307-344-2117, or the fire information line at 307-344-2580.

The fire is expected to grow in the next 48 hours, especially during the peak afternoon burning period. Winds on Saturday are expected to shift to a more westerly direction by mid-day.

IMPACTS TO VISITORS AND AREA RESIDENTS: In addition to possible road closures, smoke and flames will be visible from the Grand Loop Road. Check at park visitor centers or backcountry offices for the current status of hiking trails and backcountry campsites in the area. No facilities have closed at this time due to fire activity.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Tactics for the next 24 hours include using aviation assets (Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters) to drop water on aspects of the fire in order to minimize further impacts to road and power line corridors. In anticipation of wind shift back to typical prevailing directions (SSW), firefighters will be implementing additional structure protection in the Bridge Bay area utilizing irrigation systems to protect structures.

Yellowstone National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of the area’s wildlife and vegetation. Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning. Firefighters continue to monitor the Arnica Fire by air, from the ground, and from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout. The fire is being managed in order to protect people and property, enhance the area’s natural resources, and effectively use available firefighting resources.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2009 09-099
Brian Suderman or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2012

Yellowstone National Park Fire Update - Monday 9/28/09 11:45 am


ARNICA FIRE

Probable Start Date: September 13, 2009

Reported: September 23, 2009 Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 9,300 acres

IMPACTS TO VISITORS AND AREA RESIDENTS: The road is currently closed from south of the Lake developed area to the West Thumb Junction due to fire actively burning along 1.5 miles of the road, and an undetermined number of hazardous snags falling across the road(SEE MAP). Access is available from the north and east to the Lake developed area (Lake Hotel and Lake Lodge); and to the Old Faithful area from the south and west.

Snag removal will take place when conditions are safe for firefighters. The road will remain closed throughout today and tonight. An assessment of when the road might reopen will be made when it is safe to do so. As a reminder, the road between Norris and Madison is also closed due to road construction (SEE ABOVE MAP). Visitors are encouraged to stop at park visitor centers and area chambers of commerce for assistance with trip planning in and around the park. Smoky conditions will affect air quality today and tomorrow. Individuals with weakened immune systemsand those with heart and lung conditions could be most affected.

The Elephant Back and Natural Bridge Trails have been closed due to fire activity in these areas. Check at park visitor centers or backcountry offices for the current status of other hiking trails and backcountry campsites in the area.

No facilities have closed at this time due to fire activity with the exception of the launching of private water craft from the Bridge Bay Marina. Water craft can still be launched from Grant Village.

LOCATION: West and southwest of Bridge Bay and Lake Village, and along the road near Arnica Creek.
OVERVIEW: The lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest and isestimated at 9,300 acres.
RECENT ACTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS: The fire is expected to burn actively under southwesterly winds, especially during the peak afternoon burning period when temperatures are expected to reach into the 60s.
CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: 52°F; winds from the south southeast at 1 mph; 35% relative humidity.
TODAY’S FORECAST: Highs in the low 60s, southwest winds 12 mph, higher gusts this afternoon. 10 - 15% relative humidity.

FIRE AND ROAD UPDATES: Visitors can use the following sources to access up-to-date information: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1901/; http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/newsreleases.htm, or by calling the 24-hour road information line at 307-344-2117, or the fire information line at 307-344-2580.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Currently, 230 personnel have been assigned to the fire. Helicopters will be used to drop water west of Bridge Bay to check the spread of fire toward the Bridge Bay development. Firefighters have implemented structure protection in the Lake area utilizing irrigation systems and fire engines.

Yellowstone National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of the area’s wildlife and vegetation. Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning. Firefighters continue to monitor the Arnica Fire by air, from the ground, and from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout. The fire is being managed in order to protect people and property, allow natural processes to occur, and effectively use available firefighting resources.