Buckrail- Currently, three fires are burning in Yellowstone National Park – the Fawn Fire, the Maple Fire and the Pocket Fire.
Fire activity increased significantly on the Maple fire on Thursday, August 11, growing to 297 acres. This fire continues to move in a northeast direction; it currently does not pose a threat to the Cougar Creek cabin. As a precautionary measure, fire staff will begin to put structure protection around the Cougar Creek cabin today, wrapping the cabin with protective material and setting up a sprinkler system. Trail closures remain in place for portions of the Gneiss Creek trail.
Crews will continue to monitor and assess the Fawn fire, which only grew six acres on Wednesday, and is now 936 acres.
The Pocket fire, located between Shoshone Lake and Pocket Lake, approximately five miles SSE of Old Faithful and five miles west of West Thumb, is under a full suppression strategy. On Wednesday the park helicopter conducting water drops assisted three park firefighters and three smokejumpers in containing the Pocket fire. The fire is 100 percent contained, and firefighters hope to have it fully controlled by Saturday afternoon, August 13.
Public and firefighter safety is the first priority for park managers. The Fawn and Maple fires do not pose a threat to visitors. All roads leading into and through the park are open.
Park visitors and communities north and west of the park should anticipate varying levels of smoke from these fires.