Lehardy Fire Update Thursday, August 7, 2008, 9 A.
Incident: Lehardy Wildland Fire
Released: 8/7/2008
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
LeHardy Fire Information
307-344-7102
www.nps.gov/yell or www.inciweb.org
Yellowstone National Park LeHardy Fire Update
Thursday, August 7, 2008 - 9 a.m.
Estimated Size: 8,950 acres Started: July 30, 2008 Estimated Containment: 5% Cause: Powerline Estimated Costs to Date: $870,000
Overview: This summer the National Park Service is one of several federal agencies emphasizing the use of wildland fire strategies that focus on protecting values at risk. Here in Yellowstone National Park, the perimeter of the LeHardy Fire in the Fishing Bridge area has been aggressively suppressed due to its potential impacts on visitors and infrastructure. As part of the fire suppression strategy, fire managers are focusing on confining the fire and protecting specific values at risk, such as remote patrol cabins, and long-term seismic data monitoring equipment where the fire is burning in the back country, east of the Yellowstone River. The flexibility of being able to use multiple strategies enables fire managers to put firefighters where they can do the most good and where they are needed most, while increasing firefighter safety and reducing costs.
Wednesday's Activities: Fire crews patrolled the fire on the west side of the Grand Loop Road. East of the Yellowstone River, the fire remained active, with single and group tree torching and short uphill runs. Helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights, fire perimeter mapping, and dropped buckets of water on hot spots.
Thursday's Activities: Firefighters will continue to patrol the west side of the Grand Loop Road. Crews working east of the Yellowstone River will use helicopters and hoselay to anchor the fire into Sulphur Hills and secure hotspots along the river in the LeHardy Rapids area. Crews will continue to grid and patrol along the southern perimeter. Firefighters are also prepared for initial attack for any new fires if needed. Moderate fire behavior similar to yesterday is expected. Structure protection remains in place for the Fishing Bridge infrastructure. Smoke: The fire has the potential to develop a smoke column visible from the highway, especially in the afternoon. It may also cause a light haze over areas in and near the park, or cause smoke to settle at times in low lying areas. Smoky conditions may exist near the active burn area. Thursday's Weather: Temperatures in the mid-upper 70s. Minimum relative humidity will range from 21-26%, up slightly from yesterday. Light winds, below ten miles per hour are expected, with gusty and erratic winds near showers and thunderstorms. There is about a 10% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, which are typically associated with strong, gusty winds.
Current Resources: 4 helicopters, 3 engines, 1 water tender, and 104 personnel including 2 crews
Park Status: All park entrances and seasonal visitor services are open. Some back country trails remain temporarily closed. Information is available at all of the park's back country offices or by calling 307-344-2160.
