First Confirmed Wildfire of 2023 in Yellowstone National Park
Written by Grace Ballou on July 26, 2023
Fire danger in the country’s first national park is now high.
On July 22, a visitor detected the first wildfire of the open season in Yellowstone National Park. The fire has been confirmed by park officials and is now contained.
The fire, located between Little Cottonwood Creek and Hellroaring Mountain close to the north end of the park, was ignited by lighting, and luckily did not grow to over .1 acres.
Four smokejumpers were quick to the spot the blaze and were able to suppress the fire without it gaining much ground.
Visitors are encouraged to stay informed about Yellowstone fire danger and the park’s fire warnings.
The current park-wide fire danger level for Yellowstone is “high”, but there are no active wildland fires in the national park at this time.
The park does not plan on enforcing fire restrictions, but they would like everyone to act responsibly to help keep nature and wildlife from harm.
Campfires are allowed at campsites as long as they are in established fire rings in campgrounds or in some backcountry areas. It is also important to remember that fires cannot be left alone and must be cold to touch before leaving the area.
The Greater Yellowstone region is a fire-adapted ecosystem, meaning that it relies on wildfires to create and maintain resilient habitats. Fire plays an important role in ensuring the health of the park’s wildlife and vegetation.
However, that does not mean that they should be instigated by unnatural forces.
Be sure to stay informed about the fire activity in Yellowstone National Park for any changes.
