News Release

Wildfire in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area

A view of the Kane Fire from HWY 14A

NPS Photo

News Release Date: March 22, 2026

Contact: Christy Fleming, 307-548-5406

Lovell WY — A wildfire was reported in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area on Saturday March 21 at 5pm. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and an investigation to the cause in ongoing. The fire is burning in thick riparian vegetation.

Lovell Fire Department was first on the scene with help from Bighorn County Sherriff’s Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol. BLM has taken over command of the fire and has requested additional resources. As of Sunday morning, the fire is approximately 530 acres, with much of it on National Park Service land.

All roads on the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management area are temporarily closed. People recreating in the habitat are being asked to leave the area.

Local communities and park visitors will continue to see smoke from the fire area as firefighters work to suppress the fire. Smoke is expected to settle into low-lying areas in the evenings. To learn more about living near wildfire smoke, please visit AirNow.gov.  

Updates on the Yellowtail Habitat Fire will be posted on the Bighorn Canyon NRA social media channels and website as additional information becomes available.

Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area is located approximately six miles east of Lovell and comprises 19,288 acres. The area was established in the early 1960s for the primary purpose of enhancing waterfowl habitat through a cooperative agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.