Yellowstone National Park Fire Update - Tuesday 9/29/09 11:00 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 between the junctions at Lake Village and West Thumb remains closed indefinitely due to fire actively burning along both sides of 1.8 miles of the roadway. Numerous burned trees (snags) are falling across the road, adding to the hazardous conditions. Snag removal has begun and will continue only when conditions are safe for firefighters.

No facilities have closed at this time due to fire activity. The Lake Village area is still accessible from the North, Northeast, and East Entrances, and the Lake Hotel and Lake Lodge are open for business. The Old Faithful area is accessible from the South and West Entrances.

All entrances are open. As a reminder, the road between Norris and Madison is also closed due to road construction (SEE 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 in certain areas today. Individuals with weakened immune systems and 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.

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 an area of mature lodge pole pine forest and is still estimated at 9,300 acres, as there was limited growth yesterday.

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: winds from the south southwest at 4 mph, 64˚F, 26%relative humidity.

TODAY’S FORECAST: 59-62˚F; relative humidity 19-22%. South to southwest winds will increase today as a strong low pressure system approaches. Winds will continue overnight and diminish around daybreak. Tonight scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the evening; snow showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s. Southwest winds around 11 mph.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Wednesday much colder with numerous snow showers and isolated thunderstorms moving in around daybreak; snow levels are expected to fall to the valley floors by midday. Lows around 15˚F; highs in the mid 30s; winds generally less than 10 mph.

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. Yesterday, helicopters dropped water on spot fires in the Bridge Bay marina area and will continue today to drop water west of Bridge Bay to check the spread of fire toward the Bridge Bay development. Firefighters have implemented protection for housing, lodges and historic buildings utilizing sprinkler systems, hose lines 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.

Basically there is no way to get from the north and east of the park to the south and west due to road closures for Gibbon River Bridge construction and the fire near Bridge Bay and Lake:

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/roads09.24.09.pdf

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The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.
-- Carl Sagan

ARNICA FIRE

Probable Start Date: September 13, 2009
Reported: September 23, 2009 Cause: Lightning Estimated Size: 10,700 acres

With the rapid change in weather in Yellowstone National Park to winter-like conditions, the Arnica Fire operations will be considerably downsized today. Fire fighters will be pulling all sprinkler systems and water supply equipment and moving back to Mammoth and the North Entrance.

Rain began at about 6:00 this morning and with cooling temperatures, it has turned to snow. As conditions change, the National Park Service (NPS) is making every effort to safely and rapidly reopen the road between Lake and West Thumb. This will entail removing the fire damaged trees on and along the road that pose a threat to travelers. Heavy equipment will be used to rapidly remove these hazardous trees.

The NPS appreciates the cooperation of the public with the intermittent road closures and will move quickly to return to normal operations as crews work to reopen the road and complete the demobilization of fire operations as soon as possible.

Fire activity will be greatly diminished with the rain and snow, although heavy fuels may continue to smolder.

At the height of the fire, the NPS had 230 personnel protecting housing, lodges and historic park structures in the Lake Village and Bridge Bay areas.

No facilities have closed 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.

The Lake Village area is still accessible from the North, Northeast, and East Entrances, and the Lake Hotel and Lake Lodge are open for business. The Old Faithful area is accessible from the South and West Entrances.

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.

All entrances are open. As a reminder, the road between Norris and Madison is also closed due to road construction. Visitors are encouraged to stop at park visitor centers and area chambers of commerce for assistance with trip planning in and around the park.

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

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2009 09-103
Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Road Between Lake and West Thumb to Re-Open

The road between Lake and West Thumb will re-open with no restrictions to 24-hour travel
beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday, October2. The road has been closed intermittently to allow for hazardous trees removal along a 2-mile segment of road that was affected by the Arnica Fire.

Although fire activity has greatly diminished with the recent rain and snow, heavy fuels may continue to smolder. Visitors should reduce speed and drive with caution during periods of reduced visibility due to smoke.

Check at park visitor centers or backcountry offices for the current status of hiking trails and backcountry campsites in the area.

The Arnica Fire is currently estimated at 10,700 acres and was caused by a lightning strike on or around September 13. The fire was reported on September 23.

All entrances are open. As a reminder, the road between Norris and Madison is closed due to road construction. Visitors are encouraged to stop at park visitor centers and area chambers of commerce for assistance with trip planning in and around the park.

During the fall season, visitors to Yellowstone can expect to encounter winter driving conditions and should be prepared for blowing snow and icy roads. These conditions can temporarily close park roads. Visitors can call the 24-hour road information line at 307-344-2117 for current conditions.

- www.nps.gov/yell-

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The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.
-- Carl Sagan