Yellowstone News and Information

  NEWS RELEASE VERY HIGH fire danger in Yellowstone National Park beginning July 25, 2024 Fire restrictions in effect Saturday, July 27 Fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is VERY HIGH. NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  July 25, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is now  VERY HIGH , and Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect Saturday, July 27. Wildfire activity is increasing in Yellowstone as crews have responded to and controlled four lightning-caused fires in the last week. Fire restrictions include: Backcountry and trails Prohibited:  Charcoal and all campfires in the backcountry, including those in established fire rings. Permitted:   Smoking only in areas adjacent to the provided fire ring in designated campsites or within a 3-foot-diameter area barren of all flammable material . Smokers should ensure that all cigarette butts are extinguished properly. Permitted:  Porta...

News Release Lightning ignites Yellowstone’s first fire of 2021 National Park Service News Release Date: June 25, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 A visitor reported Yellowstone’s first wildland fire of the year on the evening of June 24. The Elk Creek Fire, 0.1 acre in size, is located on a ridge south of Blacktail Drive and west of Petrified Tree in the northern part of the park. This fire is being suppressed due to an unfavorable location this early in the fire season and is being immediately suppressed. The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is HIGH. Currently, there are no fire restrictions. However, park staff is monitoring conditions and may put restrictions in place in the near future. 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 fir...

  High-elevation forests now burning more frequently than any time in the past 2,000 years   As climate change dries out high-elevation forests, they become more flammable and are burning with increasing frequency. Depicted is the Druid Complex, which included six lightning-sparked fires that started inside Yellowstone National Park in 2013. Credit: Mike Lewelling / National Park Service  

  News Release MODERATE fire danger in Yellowstone National Park Fire danger sign at moderate NPS / Jacob W. Frank Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: June 14, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is now moderate. Currently, there are no active wildland fires in the park. Currently, there are no fire restrictions  in place or planned in the park. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Campfires must always be attended and be 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.

  University of Idaho grad student studies tree rings at Yellowstone to learn about wildfires