Arnica Fire Grows to Estimated 1600 Acres
Incident: Arnica Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/26/2009
ARNICA FIRE Probable Start Date: September 13, 2009 Reported: September 23, 2009 Cause: Lightning Estimated Size: 1600 acres IMPACTS TO VISITORS AND AREA RESIDENTS: The road between the Junction at Fishing Bridge and
West Thumb was temporarily closed from approximately 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. today for safety reasons due to the fire's proximity to the road. Travelers along this road segment will be escorted by park staff.
The public is cautioned that additional road closures may be necessary.
Smoke and flames will be visible from the Grand Loop Road. Check at park visitor centers or backcountry offices
for the current status of hiking trails and backcountry campsites in the area. No facilities have closed at this time
due to fire activity with the exception of the launching of private water craft from the Bridge Bay Marina. Water craft can still be launched from Grant Village.
LOCATION: Five miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground and the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake.
OVERVIEW: The lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest and is estimated at 1600 acres.
RECENT ACTIVITY AND EXPECTATIONS: The fire is burning actively under southwesterly winds. The fire
is expected to grow in the next 48 hours, especially during the peak afternoon burning period.
CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: 67°F; southwesterly winds; 17% humidity
FIRE AND ROAD UPDATES: Visitors can use the following sources to access up-to-date information:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1901/; http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/newsreleases.htm, or by calling the 24-hour road information line at 307-344-2117, or the fire information line at 307-344-2580.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Tactics for the next 24 hours include using aviation assets (Type 1 and Type 2
helicopters) to drop water on aspects of the fire in order to minimize further impacts to road and power line corridors.
In anticipation of wind shift back to typical prevailing directions (SSW), firefighters have implemented additional
structure protection in the Lake area utilizing irrigation systems.
Yellowstone National Park is a fire-adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of
the area's wildlife and vegetation. Most fires occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Area are caused by lightning.
Firefighters continue to monitor the Arnica Fire by air, from the ground, and from the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout.
The fire is being managed in order to protect people and property, allow natural processes to occur, and effectively use available firefighting resources.
