On June 9, Yellowstone National Park reported its first wildland fire of the season, the “Milepost 17 Fire”, which was detected by a motorist on Highway 191. The fire, sparked by lightning, affected a small area of 0.1 acres and burned a single tree almost a mile west of Highway 191 and 17 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Despite the low parkwide fire danger rating, Yellowstone’s wildland firefighters quickly moved to suppress the fire and have it fully controlled by Monday afternoon. Currently, the park officials say that the fire danger level remains low, with no fire restrictions in effect or anticipated at this time.
Visitors to the park are reminded that campfires should only be made within established fire rings at designated campgrounds and some backcountry sites. It is important that all campfires be attended to at all times and thoroughly extinguished—soaked, stirred, and felt repeatedly to ensure they are cold to the touch—before leaving.
Yellowstone is part of the Greater Yellowstone area, an ecosystem adapted to natural fire occurrences. Fire plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the area’s wildlife habitats and vegetation. Park officials encourage visitors to stay informed about current fire activities and conditions within Yellowstone to ensure safety and the preservation of the park’s natural environment.
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