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| FRIDAY Sept. 15, 2000 Vol 4, # 59 |
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| FRIDAY Sept. 15, 2000 Vol 4, # 59 |
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| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion Free Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
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WILDFIRES UPDATE News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Mont. (NPS) -- With the continued high humidity and low fire activity, Yellowstone National Park officials announce that additional fire restrictions are being lifted inside the park. Wood and/or charcoal fires will now be allowed at backcountry campsites. Backcountry fires are allowed only in established fire rings and must be attended at all times. Only dead and down wood may be used as firewood. Backcountry smoking restrictions have also been lifted. (Frontcountry fire and smoking restrictions were lifted September 2, 2000.) Although fire danger is now rated at low to moderate for the park, all visitors to Yellowstone are encouraged to be extremely cautious when using fire and are reminded that fire restrictions could be reinstituted if conditions change. Most backcountry trails have also reopened to day and/or night use. However, some trails in the Bechler area that are in close proximity to fires do remain 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. 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 17 people assigned to Yellowstone fires. The Plateau Fire, located in a remote area of the southwestern portion of Yellowstone near Boundary Creek, is estimated to be 2,800 acres. This fire continues to have some activity along the northeast boundary of the fire but none along the western boundary. It is putting up very little smoke and is not threatening any developed areas. This fire continues to be monitored. The Moose Fire, located near Moose Creek south of Shoshone Lake, is estimated at 1,300 acres. There has been little activity and little smoke on this fire, and some snow was noted in the area on September 6. Previously burned areas from the 1988 Yellowstone fires are helping to naturally keep this fire from significantly spreading. This fire continues to be monitored. The Boundary Fire is located along the South Boundary of the park near Grassy Lake. This fire is estimated at approximately 380 acres. No smoke was visible from this fire on September 7, 2000; the fire will continue to be monitored. The Unlucky Fire, located in the southwest portion of the park in the Bechler area, also received a trace of snow on September 6. It is now estimated to be approximately 2,700 acres. This fire is mostly burning in fuels within its perimeter and is putting up a small amount of smoke. It is not substantially expanding. It is being monitored. There have been a total of 34 fires during the 2000 fire season, 4 of which were human-caused; the remaining 30 were lightning-caused. All of these fires, except those mentioned above, have been declared out. |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan |
FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS PROPOSED WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., plans to introduce legislation prohibiting scenic flights over Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The bill, which would ban both fixed-wing and helicopter scenic tours, would not be voted upon until next year. Currently, some scenic flights are allowed over certain areas of both parks. Until now, little has been said of the limited scenic flights over Yellowstone, as contrasted with the headlines garnered by numerous aircraft tours over Grand Canyon National Park in recent years past, resulting in current aircraft restrictions. |
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| YELLOWSTONE RIVER UPDATE News Brief This week the Yellowstone River Conservation Districts Council launched an effort to extensively map the physical features of the Yellowstone River from start to finish. The river flows some 600+ miles from its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota. The Yellowstone River is the nation's last major undammed river, and the mapping project, which will involve ten days of helicopter flights using GPS technology, is an attempt to help further preserve the wildness of the legendary river. |
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| YELLOWSTONE FISHING REPORT News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- Lamar and Soda Butte continue to fish well on hoppers, attractors and drakes. Gray drakes are also working on lower Slough Creek. Cooler temperatures on the Firehole River are bringing more action. Hoppers, nymphs and streamers are working on the Madison, and the Gardner River is also fishing well. For more information, visit Jacklin's Fly Shop in West Yellowstone, Montana. |
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