Afternoon Update: 

 Start date: Aug. 23, 2020          Cause: Presumed to be lightning              Size: Approximately 15 acres

Kohls Fire: 184 acres, 100% contained
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Eldorado, Texas

The Kohls Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.  

Kohls Fire: 184 acres, 90% contained
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Eldorado, Texas

 Planned actions for today will be to have dozer crews work to complete containment line construction today. Engines will mop up any hotspots along the fire perimeter.

Fire Weather: Continued hot weather will keep fire weather conditions elevated around the fire area today and Thursday. Highs will be in the mid 90s both days, with minimum RH values between 25 and 30 percent. Winds will continue to average between 5 and 10 mph, mainly out of the east. Overnight recovery will be around 90 percent. Although to rain is in the forecast, we will have scattered afternoon clouds, and an isolated afternoon or early evening shower can't be completely ruled out.  

Kohls Fire: 184 acres, 70% contained
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Eldorado, Texas

Dozer crews made significant progress with containment line construction in thick brush. Engines patrolled and mopped up hot spots along the fire perimeter. There were 3 direct saves on structures by VFDs; 1 residential & 2 outbuildings. Crews will return tomorrow to continue fire suppression efforts.

Comanche Creek Fire: 406 acres, 100% contained

The Comanche Creek Fire is 100% contained and command has been turned back over to Round Mountain VFD. Locals will continue to maintain a presence through Saturday.

Comanche Creek Fire: 406 acres, 95% contained.

Engines are returning this morning to complete mop up before turning command back over to the local fire departments.  

Fire Weather: Hurricane Laura is moving north through Louisiana leaving a very weak wind field across South Central Texas. Expect light northerly winds around 5 mph early in the day...possibly switching around to the east or southeast by late afternoon. Overall the wind speeds will be fairly light and at times be variable in direction. Minimum RH is expected to be around 35 percent. There is about a 20 percent chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. If a storm develops, winds could gust to 30 mph and provide some brief heavy downpours. Isolated lightning strikes are also possible mainly this afternoon.

Acres: 1,500
Total Personnel: 48
Cause: Lightning

The Grand Loop road between Old Faithful and West Thumb remains open today after being closed yesterday due to dense smoke and a growing fire. The Lone Star Fire remains active today with gusty winds expected to fuel growth.

The fire spread yesterday by torching and limited crowning as it burned to the east and northeast, with a significant column building in the afternoon. It grew to an estimated 1,500 acres, with mapping in-progress to determine current size.

The road may be closed at any time due to smoke and low visibility. Yesterday’s closure resulted in road traffic congestion in and around the Old Faithful area. Travelers to the area may expect smoke from Idaho, California, and the Lone Star Fire to be visible this afternoon.

Cooler and wetter weather is expected on Monday which may decrease fire activity but the fire is expected to continue to burn.

The Wyoming Type 3 team and Yellowstone resource management crews will continue fuels reduction work around key infrastructure in the Old Faithful area, including power lines, historic buildings, and communication equipment. They continue to protect the area in case the Lone Star Fire shifts suddenly or another wildfire threatens it in the future.

• The Grand Loop Road and day use areas between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction are open but may close at any time if fire activity increases.
• All entrances to Yellowstone are open. For up-to-date road information see the Current Conditions webpage, call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777.

• Trailheads on the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remain closed to the public. This includes Howard Eaton, Lone Star, Divide, and DeLacy Creek trails. A Lone Star Fire Campsite and Trailhead Closure map is available. Visitors are asked to respect all area closure signs even when there is no apparent imminent threat from the fire.
• Many of the campsites around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers and backpackers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate opportunities or visit the park's Backcountry Situation Report. Fire danger in the Yellowstone area remains very high; campfires in the backcountry are not allowed.

Acres: 1,220
Total Personnel: 52
Cause: Lightning

The Lone Star Fire became more active today with high temperatures, low relative humidity, and light winds fueling its growth. Firefighters monitoring from a helicopter reported group torching and activity at the fire’s perimeter. The fire expanded along its eastern flank to an estimated 1,200 acres and burned southeast toward Shoshone Lake.

A smoke column was visible from the Old Faithful developed area and the Grand Loop Road throughout the afternoon. Warm, dry weather is expected through Sunday which may increase fire activity. Smoke will likely be visible through Labor Day weekend.

The Wyoming Type 3 team and Yellowstone resource management crews will continue fuels reduction work around key infrastructure in the Old Faithful area, including power lines, historic buildings, and communication equipment. This will protect the area from an unexpected shift in direction of the Lone Star Fire, but it also prepares these developments for future wildfires.

What’s Open:

• The Grand Loop Road and day use areas between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction are open but may close at any time if fire activity increases.
• All entrances to Yellowstone are open. For up-to-date road information see the Current Conditions webpage, call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777.

• Trailheads on the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remain closed to the public. This includes Howard Eaton, Lone Star, Divide, and DeLacy Creek trails. A Lone Star Fire Campsite and Trailhead Closure map is available. Visitors are asked to respect all area closure signs even when there is no apparent imminent threat from the fire.
• Many of the campsites around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers and backpackers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate opportunities or visit the park's Backcountry Situation Report.

Updates will continue to be posted to this InciWeb site, but no daily fire update will be published or available as a printable PDF unless there are significant changes in the fire's status. Archived daily updates can be found on the News tab of this InciWeb site.