Acres: 850
Total Personnel: 39
Cause: Lightning

Due to reduced smoke along the route, Yellowstone National Park reopened Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction Thursday morning. Weather is expected to be warmer and drier today through Saturday, August 29. Dispersed smoke may occasionally be visible from Old Faithful and West Thumb.

Recent thunderstorms brought more than 0.3 inches of wetting rains to the Lone Star Fire and minimized new activity. However, the fire is still holding heat in its interior and grew by 30 acres. Precipitation and higher humidities can decrease fire activity, but the Lone Star Fire may smolder for some time. It might resume more activity when drier and warmer conditions return.

Yesterday, a crew installed a rain gauge in unburned timber near Lone Star Geyser to measure future rainfall. Firefighters will continue fuels reduction planning in the park which will strengthen current and future responses to fires in the Old Faithful area. Today, crews will use a chipper to reduce vegetation near the water treatment plant and other critical infrastructure.

What’s Open:

• The Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction is 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.

What’s Closed:

• Many of the trails and campsites around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate hiking and backpacking opportunities or visit the park's  Backcountry Situation Report.
• Trailheads and picnic areas on the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remain closed to the public.
• A Lone Star Fire Campsite and Trailhead Closure map is available.

Fire activity in the western United States has created smoky conditions throughout the region. The nation is currently in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5). This represents the highest level of fire activity and demand for  resources. All residents and visitors can assist fire efforts by following fire restrictions to reduce the potential of additional starts. Fire danger in the Yellowstone area remains very high; campfires in the backcountry are not allowed. Read more about backcountry fire restrictions in the  Backcountry Situation Report.

Acres: 820
Total Personnel: 38
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning

Fire personnel continue to develop and implement a structure protection plan for the Old Faithful developed area, including communications and other utility infrastructure, visitor lodging and services, employee housing, and administrative buildings. This work will benefit not only the Lone Star Fire but future wildfire activity in the Old Faithful area.

Crews thinned vegetation around a microwave tower and outbuildings as well as a water treatment facility on Wednesday. A chipper will follow up in those areas, further reducing the size and subsequent flammability of the vegetation.

Tuesday night's infrared flight noted a large spot fire to the south of the main fire. That spot fire was later estimated to be three acres in size and was burning into the main body of the fire yesterday.

Overall, there was no significant growth in the fire on Wednesday; much of the activity was confined within the perimeter of the fire including single tree torching. Heavy rain and thunderstorms moved into the area Wednesday night. Firefighters will hike into the Howard Eaton and Shoshone Lake trails to observe fire behavior on the heel and northwest flank of the fire and note the effects of last night's precipitation.

What's Open

• The Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction reopened Thursday morning. This section of road could close again if and/or when 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.

What's Closed

• Many of the trails and campsites around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate hiking and backpacking opportunities or visit the park's Backcountry Situation Report.
• Trailheads and picnic areas on the Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remain closed to the public.

Fire activity in the western United States has created smoky conditions throughout the region. The nation is current in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5). This represents the highest level of fire activity and demand for resources. All residents and visitors can assist fire efforts by following fire restrictions to reduce the potential of additional starts. Fire danger in the Yellowstone area remains very high; campfires in the backcountry are not allowed. Read more about backcountry fire restrictions in the Backcountry Situation Report. 

The Grand Loop Road and day use areas between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction are open to public traffic but may close at any time if fire activity increases.

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. 

Backcountry access to areas near the fire is still restricted. See the attached closure map below.

Though the Lone Star Fire continues its spread to the northeast away from Old Faithful, the infrastructure in the area is part of a structure protection plan being developed by the Wyoming Team 2 incident management team. The team took command of the fire on Sunday, August 22 and began assessing the landscape around buildings, cell towers, a water treatment plant, picnic areas, and other nearby park facilities. Included in that inventory is the park’s legendary Old Faithful Inn.

The Old Faithful Inn is a national historic landmark, recognized by people from around the world. Located adjacent to the Old Faithful geyser, the popular facility is considered one of the park’s most valuable man-made resources. On Tuesday, fire crews worked with park concessionaires to test the sprinkler system on the towering, wooden lodge.

The iconic building has undergone several restoration projects over the years. In 1947, an internal sprinkler system was installed inside the historic building in response to three deadly fires the previous year in other grand hotels of the National Park Service.  

Forty years later, in 1987, the inn’s original sprinkler system was improved. The system included a component that would send a deluge of water onto the roof, soaking the inn if a fire were to threaten the structure.

In September 1988, that new system was put to the test when the North Fork Fire approached the Old Faithful area. Heavy winds blew large embers onto the roof of the lodgepole pine building. Yellowstone Superintendent Bob Barbee expressed his clear direction by referring to the Old Faithful Inn as the park’s Sistine Chapel and adding, “under any circumstances, we don’t lose the Old Faithful Inn.” In addition to turning on the sprinkler system, firefighters draped hoses over the exterior of the building while helicopters flew overhead to knock down approaching flames. Pictures of the fire fight made national news, and the nation held its breath as the dire situation played out.

Hours later, news of the successful outcome quickly spread: several nearby cabins were lost, but the Old Faithful Inn remained intact with only minor damage.

The Lone Star Fire, now at 820 acres on August 26, is neither the size nor threat of the North Fork Fire, but protection of the historic structure will always be a consideration whenever a fire burns nearby. When the sprinklers were again turned on this past Tuesday as a precautionary test, it’s unknown how many visitors flashed back to that momentous day back in 1988, though many cameras snapped as the water flowed off the roof on Tuesday. 

National Park Service Supervisory Park Ranger Rebecca Roland walked through the crowd seated by the geyser during Tuesday's event, explaining the uniqueness and purpose of the test taking place behind them. “There is always interest from the public to learn more about the Old Faithful Inn,” Roland said, “whatever part of its history we share.”

Several photos of the sprinkler test on Tuesday, August 25 can be found on the Photographs tab of this Inciweb page.
 
Lori Iverson 
Lone Star Fire Information 

Acres: 821
Total Personnel: 38
Containment: 0
Cause: Lightning

The Lone Star Fire increased by 58 acres Tuesday, remaining fairly inactive throughout the morning but picking up in the afternoon due to increased temperatures and gusty winds. The fire grew on the southwest and northeast edges pushing east. There were a number of small spot fires in front of the active perimeter, as far as 1/2 mile out. One large spot fire to the south of the main fire was detected by an infrared flight Tuesday night.

Though the fire continues its spread to the northeast away from Old Faithful, the infrastructure in the area is included in the developing structure protection plan. Fire crews assessed an aboveground power line and water treatment facility. Additionally, personnel worked with park concessions to test the sprinkler system on the park’s iconic Old Faithful Inn.

The incident management team ordered additional resources yesterday, including personnel and machinery to assist with implementing a fire protection plan for multiple areas surrounding the fire.

What’s Open:

• 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.
  
• The Old Faithful developed area and West Thumb Geyser Basin are open.

What’s Closed:

• The Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remains closed temporarily due to proximity to the fire, impacts from smoke, and increased fire traffic.
• Many of the trails and campsites around Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers and backpackers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate hiking and backpacking opportunities or visit the park's Backcountry Situation Report.

Fire activity in the western United States has created smoky conditions throughout the region. The nation is currently in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5). This represents the highest level of fire activity and demand for resources. All residents and visitors can assist fire efforts by following fire restrictions to reduce the potential of additional starts. Fire danger in the Yellowstone area remains very high; campfires in the backcountry are not allowed. Read more about backcountry fire restrictions in the Backcountry Situation Report.

The lightning-ignited Lone Star Fire was reported on Saturday, August 22, at 5:15 p.m., following a week of heavy lightning activity and very high fire danger. The Lone Star fire is approximately 3 miles southeast of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. As of Monday evening, the fire was estimated at 664 acres and is spreading to the northeast, away from the Old Faithful area.
 
The Wyoming Team 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) was ordered Sunday because of high fire severity in the park and limited resources due to widespread national fire activity. The IMT took over management of the fire Monday morning and will work with park fire resources and staff during the incident. Thirty-seven personnel are currently assigned to the fire.
 
Yesterday, fire personnel focused on using the additional resources to better size up the fire and map the fire's perimeter. An infrared flight last night confirmed the fire increased by approximately 100 acres. The fire is estimated to be 763 acres and is 0% contained.

Crews today will focus on creating fire protection plans for developed areas. Fire suppression efforts will be based on the fire’s movement towards park infrastructure such as historic buildings, a water treatment plant, communication towers, and other resources at risk. The IMT will monitor smoke and fire spread as part of a closure management plan to determine when the Grand Loop Road may reopen to public or administrative travel.
 
What's Open:

• 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.
• The Old Faithful developed area and West Thumb Geyser Basin are fully open.

What's Closed:

• The Grand Loop Road south of Old Faithful between Old Faithful and West Thumb Junction remains closed temporarily due to proximity to the fire, impacts from smoke, and increased fire traffic.
• Many of the trails leading to Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser are closed. Hikers are encouraged to talk to park staff for alternate hiking opportunities or visit the park's Backcountry Situation Report.

The nation is currently in Preparedness Level 5 (PL5). This represents the highest level of fire activity and demand for resources. All residents and visitors can assist fire efforts by strictly following any fire restrictions to reduce the potential of additional starts.

Fire danger in the Yellowstone area remains very high; campfires in the backcountry are not allowed. Read more about backcountry fire restrictions in the Backcountry Situation Report.

For updated information about fires in Yellowstone National Park, visit go.nps.gov/yellowstonefire
 
 

The Thorpe Fire was called 100% contained Friday afternoon, August 28th. The fire received light precipitation Friday. A Type 5 incident commander has taken over the fire. The resources assigned to the fire include two engines, one water tender, and a four person module. Crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter to secure the lines and extinguish any hot spots. Some interior pockets may continue to smolder and creep over the next few days. 
 
August 29, 2020 will be the final update on Inciweb, unless fire conditions change.  

Road closures have been lifted. However, roads within and near the fire perimeter may be temporarily closed due to firefighting operations.

Forest Service Roads 230 and 231, and Park County Road 44.

This will be the FINAL video update for Meddler.
Meddler Operations Update Video for August 30, 2020 with Planning Operations Trainee Caleb Finch is now available on the Salt Gin Griffin Fire Information Facebook page at http://bit.ly/OpsUpdateVideo

There is also an option to watch the video in Apache.