Law enforcement is still investigating a human-caused fire that temporarily closed the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park Friday. Rachel Cramer with Yellowstone Public Radio News reports.
The Park’s north entrance road was closed for about 90 minutes while crews from Yellowstone, Gardiner and Paradise Valley worked to contain the four-acre fire. Outbound traffic was still able to exit the Park via the Old Gardiner Road.
Park officials say the fire started around 6 p.m., burning grass and sage between the North Entrance Station and the Gardiner River.
Wildland fire crews from the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service were in the field Monday mopping up.
“There weren’t any lightning strikes in the area at the time. They’re thinking it’s human-caused, and it’s under investigation right now,” says Yellowstone Spokesperson Linda Veress.
Veress says anyone who can provide information about the start of the fire should call Yellowstone’s 24-hour anonymous tip line at 307-344-2132.
She says visitors should take extra precautions to prevent wildfires as the summer becomes warmer and drier.
“Any campfires in the Park, just make sure that it’s completely out. Before leaving the site, make sure that it’s cold to the touch. And then also just careful with anything that could cause a spark — cookstoves, dangling chains, cigarettes,” Varess says.
Wildfire danger in Yellowstone is currently moderate.
