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YELLOWSTONE WEATHER Highs 70s, Lows 30s Partly Sunny More Weather ROAD REPORT All roads are now open, but subject to closure More Info THE DAILY CARTOON ONLINE GREETING CARDS PUBLISHER Yellowstone Net Company EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Bruce Gourley MORE LINKS Discussion Newspaper Archives Send us Your Comments		PARK EMPLOYEE SCALDED TO DEATH News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- An Amfac employee died Tuesday from third-degree burns which resulted from falling into a hot spring in Yellowstone, while two others who also fell into the scalding water remained in very critical condition early Wednesday morning. Sara Hulphers, 20, of Oroville, Washington, died within hours of falling a hot spring in the River Group of hot springs in the Fountain Flats area late Monday night. It is unknown how she and two companions, Tyler Montague and Lance Buchi, both 18 and from Salt Lake City, fell into the hot spring, as there were no other witnesses. Although individuals have occasionally fallen into Yellowstone's hot springs and pools, this is the first case in which three people did so simultaneously. The last hot spring causality in Yellowstone was in 1988 when a backcountry skier fell through thin, snow-covered crust into a hot spring. The three were transported first to West Yellowstone, Montana, then to the burn center in Salt Lake City. Hulphers suffered from third-degree burns on 100% of her body, while Montague and Buchi are suffering from 90%+ third-degree burns. There have been very few cases where victims with 90%+ burns have survived. The River Group of hot springs and pools is near the Firehole River in the Fountain Flats area area and is a part of the Lower Geyser Basin. The three friends had went out for a late night swim in the Firehole River with four to five other friends and were on the way back to the Firehole Flats Drive parking area when their friends, who were separated from them by darkness on the walk back, heard the three crying for help and ran to assist, discovering that the three had fallen into a hot pool. Montague and Buchi managed to crawl out of the pool, but Hulphers had to be pulled out. The Rivers Group is a little known hot springs area away from the roadway, and the pools and springs are not marked, as is typically the case in Yellowstone's backcountry. Because of the darkness at the time of the incident, it is uncertain at this point as to which pool the three Amfac summer employees fell into. Speculation has centered on Cavern Spring or Bath Spring. Yellowstone officials are continuing their investigation. Amfac is the Park concessionaire which operates the hotels within Yellowstone. Update: As of Thursday morning, Montague and Buchi were in critical but stable condition. In addition, it has been determined that the hot spring in question is Cavern Spring. BACK TO TOP
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan Kim Steinbacher Kevin Sanders Steve Brashear Clint Wilkes Tim Gourley Hon. Bob Gammage Ruth Colter-Frick Lee Whittlesey Tom Mazzarisi Russ Finley David Monteith Denise Elmer Dr. Bob Bara Matthew McLean		WILDFIRE UPDATE National Park Service Editor's Update (August 24, 2000): Two new fires started in the Park on Wednesday. Although no developed areas are threatened at this time, continued hot, dry temperatures are expected to cause increasing fire danger over the next several days. (BG) YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park officials report that no new fire starts were found within Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday. Based on today's reconnaissance flight, most park fires are not substantially increasing in size at this time. The South Entrance Road (Highway 89/191) reopened to the public at 8:00 a.m. yesterday, with the following restrictions: No stopping is allowed from the southern boundary of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to Lewis Canyon Overlook in Yellowstone National Park. Travelers are urged to respect the 45-mile per hour speed limit. Flagg Ranch Resort, Grassy Lake Road, and all trailheads in the vicinity will remain closed. Yellowstone’s fires are located in remote backcountry areas and are not threatening any developed areas at this time. Following is information on current fire activity in the park. There are approximately 60 people assigned to the Spruce Complex fires and they are supported by 1 helicopter and 3 engines. The Stone Fire is located in the backcountry on the Pitchstone Plateau. It is approximately 1 acre and is currently unstaffed. The Plateau Fire, located in a remote area of the southwestern portion of Yellowstone near Boundary Creek, is estimated to be 520 acres. This fire is unstaffed. The Glade Fire is located near the southern boundary of Yellowstone in Grand Teton National Park. This fire is currently estimated to be 3,200 acres. Crews are working to suppress this fire and protect structures at the South Entrance and Flagg Ranch. The Moose Fire, located near Moose Creek south of Shoshone Lake, is estimated at 1,200 acres. It is currently unstaffed. The Boundary Fire is located along the South Boundary of the park near Grassy Lake. This fire is estimated at approximately 135 acres and is burning in an area that was burnt during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. This fire is unstaffed. The Unlucky Fire, located in the southwest portion of the park in the Bechler area, is now estimated to be approximately 1,500 acres. This fire was first reported on Sunday, August 13. It is unstaffed. Currently, suppression efforts are not being conducted on some fires in the park. Before determining whether suppression efforts will be initiated on an individual fire, a number of factors are taken into consideration, including weather conditions, human safety, terrain, and available resources. Some of these fires are located in areas that present a great safety risk to firefighters, with rugged terrain and heavy fuels. Additionally, the park has very limited resources. Yellowstone fire crews are assisting with fires outside the park in Montana and areas surrounding the park—fires that have the potential to affect human safety or damage manmade structures. Although suppression efforts are not being taken on some fires, all fires are closely monitored and mapped on a daily basis. In the Spruce Complex, eight fires — the Star Fire (1-2 acres), the Mallard Fire (1 acre), the Fred Fire (1-2 acres), the Knothead Fire (1 acre), the Lost Spring Fire (1 acre), the Firehole Fire (1 acre), the Thumb Fire (1-2 acres), and the Spruce Fire (1 acre)—have been controlled. There have been a total of 32 fires during the 2000 fire season, 4 of these were human-caused; the remaining 28 were lightning-caused. Overall park fire danger is rated as high. Breezy and sunny conditions are forecasted for today, with a chance for scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to increase today and Thursday. Park officials remind visitors that all entrances remain open, as well as all frontcountry visitor and park facilities, including all lodging, food services, general stores, gift shops, and campgrounds. BACK TO TOP
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		CURRENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- The following restrictions have been implemented because of fire activity in the park and surrounding areas outside the park: As of August 5, backcountry wood or charcoal fires are prohibited. Smoking is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the cooking area in designated backcountry sites only. As of August 19, no wood or charcoal fires are allowed at any of the frontcountry campsites, picnic areas, parking areas, and employee housing. This includes the use of fire grates, charcoal grills, fire pans, and any other ember-producing equipment. Propane, butane, and other gas stoves and gas grills are still permitted. No smoking is allowed except within buildings where smoking is normally permitted, in vehicles, around established fire rings in campgrounds, or in designated smoking areas—provided an ashtray is used. Some backcountry trails have been closed to all day and night use in the following areas: Bechler, Gallatin, Snake River, and Thorofare. As of August 15, Shoshone Lake has been closed to all day and night use. Outside the South Entrance, the Grassy Lake road has been closed. Visitors planning to day hike or stay overnight in the backcountry are encouraged to call the Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 for specific trail closure information and other possible restrictions. BACK TO TOP
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		FREE ENTRANCE TO ALL NATIONAL PARKS FRIDAY National Park Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- National Park Service Director Robert Stanton has designated August 25 as "Founders Day," allowing visitors free admission to any of the National Park Service's fee-charging units, including Yellowstone National Park. Normally a $20 per vehicle or $10 per person (non-motorized) fee is charged one-time visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. In celebration of the establishment of the National Park Service on August 25, 1916, Yellowstone will not charge entrance fees that day. In 1988, a Bill was passed that provided legislation authorizing the NPS to provide at least one fee-free day annually. It is intended to provide opportunities to foster further understanding and appreciation of the NPS mission. Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael Finley states, "We encourage as many visitors as possible to take advantage of this very special opportunity to come and see Yellowstone." BACK TO TOP