A wildfire several miles south of Old Faithful was sending smoke over the area Monday/NPS webcam
Editor's note: This updates with details from fire management team.
Fire bosses Monday were monitoring a blaze touched off by a lightning strike that was several miles from the Old Faithful complex in Yellowstone National Park, but which was not expected to threaten that area under current conditions.
The Lone Star Fire was spotted Saturday evening, and by Monday afternoon had covered an estimated 660 acres, said Lori Iverson, a fire information officer.
A small incident management team of about 20 individuals was determining how many resources they might need, resources that might not be readily available.
"There are very few resources available now," Iverson said, referring to the thousands of fires across the West that were straining crews and resources. “Rather than aggressively working the perimeter today, what we have spent a big part of the day on is identifying management action points.”
The park's Grand Loop Road between Old Faithful and West Thumb was closed due to the fire. Backcountry closures included campsites near the Lone Star Geyser and along the northern shore of Shoshone Lake, as well as the Lone Star Geyser Trail, the Howard Eaton Trail, and the Shoshone Lake Trail.
Of particular concern was whether the fire would threaten the Cove Cabin, a backcountry patrol cabin on the north shore of Shoshone Lake, said Iverson.
Equipment that could be tapped to protect facilities at the Old Faithful complex had been gathered to have on hand if needed, she said.
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