Butte Fire Update Tuesday September 8, 2009
Incident: Butte Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/8/2009
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Public Affairs Office
307 344-2015
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
News Release # 09-076
Yellowstone National Park Butte Fire Update
Tuesday, September 8 - 1:30 p.m.Fire Location: East of the Lamar Ranger Station -Buffalo Ranch and north of the Northeast Entrance Road on Druid Peak, 16 miles southwest of Cooke City, Montana
Estimated Size: 200 acres Started: August 30, 2009 Cause: Lightning
Overview: Lightning from a thunderstorm which moved across the northern portion of Yellowstone National Park on Sunday evening, August 30, starting five small fires. The Butte Fire, which started in Whitebark pine beneath the summit of Druid Peak north of Soda Butte, remained small and quiet for several days. Changing weather conditions on Wednesday, September 2, resulted in increased fire activity and fire growth. There have been seventeen reported fires in Yellowstone National Park this summer. Fifteen of the sixteen fires were caused by lightning. So far, all except the Butte Fire have been less than a half acre in size.
Last 24 hours: The fire experienced cooler temperatures and cloud cover on Monday; however some smoke can still be seen from the Northeast Entrance Road. As it continues to crawl around in the high rocky terrain it still remains above and well away from the Northeast Entrance road.
Management Strategy: Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning. Yellowstone National Park is a fire adapted ecosystem where fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of the area's wildlife and vegetation. Firefighters continue to monitor the Butte Fire by air, from the ground, and from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout. The Butte Fire is being managed in order to protect people and property, enhance the area's natural resources, and effectively use available firefighting resources.
Impacts to visitors and area residents: Public and firefighter safety is always the park's first concern and priority. The Butte Fire poses no threat to visitors or area residents. Smoke and flames may be visible at times from along the Northeast Entrance road. If temperatures warm and the humidity drops, winds may carry smoke northeast into the Pebble Creek Campground, and into the communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City. Smoke may also settle overnight in river and creek drainages and along the valley floor.
Park Status: All park entrances and seasonal visitor services are open. There are no roads, trails, or campgrounds closed in connection with the Butte Fire.
Weather Forecast: The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park remains "Moderate". The National Weather Service forecast calls for partly sunny skies, with a high near 65 degrees F on Tuesday. West wind are expected between 6 and 9 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear skies will continue with a low around 33 degrees F with West northwest wind between 3 and 8 mph. Additional Fire Information: Updated information including photos and maps (when available) are posted to the web at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1881. Updates are also available by calling the park's 24-hour fire information line at 307-344-2580. At times the fire is also visible from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout Web Cam at http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/tours/livecams/mtwashburn/index.htm.
- www.nps.gov/yell -
