News Release

Yellowstone National Park’s 2022 wildfire season has begun

NPS

News Release Date: August 30, 2022

Contact: Morgan Warthin, [phone]

Gray Fire

• A new wildland fire was detected Aug. 29 by a passing aircraft.
• The 0.1-acre lightning-ignited Gray Fire is located about 1 mile east of the Fawn Pass Patrol Cabin, just south of the Fawn Pass Trail.
• The park’s Helitack crew contained the fire.
• No emergency closures are anticipated.

Telemark Fire 

• West Yellowstone Smokejumpers reported the first lightning-ignited wildfire of the year on the evening of Aug. 16.
• The Telemark Fire is located west of U.S. Hwy 191 between mile markers 17 and 18 near a segment of the highway that runs through Yellowstone National Park.
• The fire is approximately 10 feet by 10 feet in size and was burning in brush and timber. There were no open flames.
• The fire was suppressed by a U.S. Forest Service engine crew out of the Hebgen Ranger District. Crews will monitor the area until it is deemed out.
• Yellowstone thanks the crews from the Hebgen Ranger District and the Custer Gallatin National Forest for their continued support on fires through an interagency partnership.

Obsidian Fire

• The first fire of the season began as a vehicle fire in a parking lot at Old Faithful on July 20. Flames moved from the burning vehicle to the grass and burned a nearby pine tree.
• The fire was under 0.1 acre in size and was suppressed and declared out on the same day.

Stay informed

• The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is HIGH.
• Currently, there are no fire restrictions. However, park staff monitor conditions and may put restrictions in place if wildland fuels continue to dry out.
• Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites.
• Campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. 
• The Greater Yellowstone area is a fire-adapted ecosystem. Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of this area’s wildlife habitat and vegetation.
• Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone.