For Immediate Release

Fire Facts 

Date Started: July 29, 2001
Cause of Ignition: Lightning
Location: 1 mi. east of Sylvan Pass to East Entrance of Yellowstone NP

Size:  2300 acres; 5 miles long and 2 miles wide         
Percent Contained:  10%
Estimated Time of Containment:  Unknown 

Number of Personnel:  833 total.
Aircraft:  13 helicopters, 2 air tankers
Equipment:  6 Engines, 2 Bulldozers.

Cost to date:  approximately $1.6 million

 

WIND, TERRAIN CHALLENGE ARTHUR FIREFIGHTERS

Yellowstone National Park, WY – Fire crews made progress on several tactical objectives Thursday, resulting in only a modest increase in size of the Arthur Fire located near the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Driven By afternoon winds, the fire, currently 2300 acres, progressed to the east and southeast, with some spotting into the adjacent Shoshone National Forest. An impressive column of smoke was seen as far away as Cody and Powell. Fire Management officials commented that this volume of smoke is not unusual considering the dense fuels in which the fire is burning. The Interagency Fire Team has been working cooperatively with Yellowstone National Park and Shoshone National Forest employees to manage the Arthur Fire.              

Today’s Fire Activity

Continued low humidities, warm temperatures and moderate afternoon winds resulted in a 500 acre increase in fire size on Thursday. An impressive column of smoke towered over the fire in late afternoon; however, most of the smoke resulted from interior burning within the fire perimeter. The fire growth was primarily to the southeast, including some spotting across the Park boundary onto the adjacent Shoshone National Forest. Active burning in this portion of the fire forced firefighters to retreat, though crews on other portions of the fire continued to make good progress on fireline construction. Weather predictions for Friday will likely produce similar fire activity including the mid-day smoke column.

Tomorrow’s Events

Fire crews will return to the fire on Friday and concentrate efforts on securing firelines around the west and northeast flanks of the fire. Helicopters will continue dropping water on the hottest portions of the fire, including the southeastern side that burned actively on Thursday. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Friday due to the potential for thunderstorms and dry lightning.

A Community Meeting to present information about the Arthur Fire is scheduled at Pahaska Teepee Lodge at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Fire Management Team members will be present to provide updates and answer questions on firefighting strategies. The public, particularly residents and business owners in the vicinity of the Park’s East Entrance, are encouraged to attend. Pahaska Teepee Lodge is located about 2 miles east of the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Closures

The East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the road from the East Entrance to Fishing Bridge are temporarily closed to all public travel. The route is currently unsafe for public travel due to fire activity near the road, heavy firefighter traffic, and helicopter operations in the area. The road will be reopened when the safety of the public and firefighters can be assured. No date has been projected for the opening. Advance notice will be broadcast by the media before the road reopens.