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Yellowstone National Park's Wildfire Season Has Started

A sign between Yellowstone National Park and the Custer Gallatin National Forest on August 02, 2020.
Rachel Cramer
/
Yellowstone Public Radio
A sign between Yellowstone National Park and the Custer Gallatin National Forest on Aug. 2, 2020.

Yellowstone National Park’s wildfire season recently kicked off with two lightning caused fires.

Park officials spotted a tenth of an acre blaze from the Mount Washburn Lookout on Aug. 1. A press release says rain fell soon after the Sour Fire was detected and it hasn’t been seen since.

On Aug. 3, a visitor reported another small fire in the Lamar Valley. A park spokesperson told YPR that staff suppressed the Soda Fire due to its proximity to the Soda Butte mound and a heavily trafficked route between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City.

Fire danger is high in Yellowstone. No fire restrictions are in place but, as always, campfires are limited to fire rings at campgrounds and at some, not all, backcountry campsites. All campfires must be cold to the touch before abandoning.

Last year, Yellowstone had seven fires ignited by lightning and one that was human caused.