The LeHardy Fire is now 27 percent contained.
Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity over the weekend helped crews get control of the fire that is burning in Yellowstone National Park.
The fire area remained inactive Monday as crews continued to clear trees from park trails.
The fire, which was measured at 9,332 acres Friday, has not grown since that time, according to the park.
Ignited by a powerline on July 30, the LeHardy Fire has cost $1,327,980 so far, according to the park.
Crews began clearing hazard trees along park trails and backhauled all gear from the fireline Sunday. Protective wrap from a backcountry patrol cabin and some long-term seismic monitoring equipment was removed by firefighters in the area where the fire had already passed and remains inactive.
Monday, crews plan to continue clearing hazard trees along park trails. Firefighters will also remove the structural protection sprinkler systems in the Fishing Bridge area, as the fire has been contained in this area and no longer poses a threat to the visitor services area. Remaining resources began demobilizing Monday.
The park will continue to monitor the fire and will take action and bring in additional resources as needed.
Although it is holding steady at this time, fire behavior along the northern perimeter is expected to increase throughout the week due to drier conditions.
All park entrances and seasonal visitor services are open, while some back country trails remain temporarily closed.
(From Aug. 8, 2008)
The cost of the LeHardy Fire has surpassed $1 million.
The park, which has been burning in Yellowstone National Park for over a week, has reached 9,332 acres in size. It is five percent contained.
The fire, which was ignited by a powerline on July 30, has cost $1,038,691 so far, according to the park.
Today, firefighters will continue to patrol the fire area west of the Grand Loop Road. East of the Yellowstone River, firefighters will monitor hotspots along the river and use bucket drops of water fromhelicopters and hoselay to secure the line perimeter, according to the park.
Patrol and mop-up along the south perimeter will continue as well. Helicopters will support firefighters as needed and backhaul equipment from the back country.
Falling dead trees, abundant wildlife and geothermal areas continue to be challenges for the firefighters.
Thursday, firefighters patrolled the west side of the Grand Loop Road and observed no fire activity in the area. East of the Yellowstone River, crews used helicopters and hoselay to anchor the fire into Sulphur Hills and secure hotspots along the river in the LeHardy Rapids area. Crews did a grid search for hot spots and patrolled along the southern perimeter.
All park entrances and seasonal visitor services are open, while some back country trails remain temporarily closed.
(From Aug. 7, 2008)
Firefighters battling the LeHardy Fire continued to patrol the west side of Grand Loop Road Thursday.
The fire, which has been burning in Yellowstone National Park for over a week, has grown to 8, 950 acres. It is five percent contained and so far has an estimated cost of $870,000.
The LeHardy Fire remained active Wednesday east of the Yellowstone River with single and group tree torching and short uphill runs. Helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights, fire perimeter mapping, and dropped buckets of water on hot spots.
Crews working east of the Yellowstone River today plan to use helicopters and hoselay to anchor the fire into Sulphur Hills and secure hotspots along the river in the LeHardy Rapids area. Crews will continue to grid and patrol along the southern perimeter.
Firefighters are also prepared for initial attack for any new fires if needed, according to the park. Structure protection remains in place for the Fishing Bridge infrastructure.
All park entrances and seasonal visitor services are open, while some back country trails remain temporarily closed.
The fire was sparked by a powerline Wednesday, July 30.
Fire bosses report that crews in Yellowstone National Park have been aggressively securing the perimeter of the LeHardy Fire.
The blaze has been burning for a week and has grown to 8,500 acres. Officials say the fire is 5% contained and has cost over $730,000 to fight so far.
There are approximately 112 firefighters working this blaze with the help of four helicopters and several engines.
(from August 5, 2008)
The LeHardy Fire has grown to 8,500 acres.
The fire, which continues to spread in Yellowstone National Park, is five percent contained, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
The cost of the fire is at $735,000.
Crews have been aggressively securing the perimeter of the fire, fire bosses said.
Four helicopters, three engines and one water tender are being used to battle the blaze, Yellowstone Park officials reported Tuesday.
Crews plan to monitor and mop up the south and east perimeter to the Fishing Bridge infrastructure.
The LeHardy Fire was sparked a week ago, Wednesday afternoon, July 30, in the powerline corridor, which runs west of Grand Loop Road near LeHardy Rapids. Gusty winds pushed the fire east across the road and the Yellowstone River.
The fire does not pose a threat to visitors. It is burning northeast and away from the Grand Loop Road and the Fishing Bridge area in a mature lodgepole pine and spruce/ fir forest. The fire is also consuming heavy, dead and downed timber.
All park entrances and seasonal visitor services remain open, while some back country trails remain temporarily closed.
(From Aug. 4, 2008)
The LeHardy Fire has almost doubled in size.
The fire, which continues to spread in Yellowstone National Park, has grown to 7,335 acres, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
The last reports we had estimated the size of the blaze at just over 4,700 acres.
The blaze is just 5% contained and authorities say they hope to have the blaze fully contained by approximately 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.
The LeHardy Fire was sparked Wednesday afternoon, July 30 in the powerline corridor, which runs west of Grand Loop Road near LeHardy Rapids. Gusty winds pushed the fire east across the road and the Yellowstone River.
The fire does not pose a threat to visitors. It is burning northeast and away from the Grand Loop Road and the Fishing Bridge area in a mature lodgepole pine and spruce/ fir forest.
The LeHardy Fire which is burning inside Yellowstone National park has grown to over 4,700 acres burned and is just 5% contained.
The blaze is not threatening park visitors and is still burning into the back country, away from Fishing Bridge.
The only injury reported so far was a few scratches a firefighter suffered when a grizzly bear trying to flee the blaze pounced on him.
(from August 4, 2008)
The LeHardy Fire burning in Yellowstone National Park continued to grow Monday.
The blaze is now at 4,700 hundred acres and is 5% contained according to park officials.
A downed power line sparked the LeHardy Fire almost a week ago.
More than 100 firefighters are working on a containment line, but fire bosses said it could be weeks before the flames are extinguished.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries Sunday after an encounter with a frightened grizzly bear. The firefighter is sore but expected to return to work on light duty soon, officials said.
The fire does not pose a risk to visitors at this time and all of the entrances to Yellowstone National Park remain open.
The LeHardy Fire which is burning in Yellowstone National Park has grown to more than 4,200 acres.
The blaze is now is moving in a northeast direction into the back country away from Fishing Bridge.
Hotshots and engine crews, with the help of water drops, are continuing to reinforce a control line along the section of the fire on the west bank of the Yellowstone River.
The fire does not pose a risk to visitors at this time and all of the entrances to Yellowstone National Park remain open.
The Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park has been reopened after the area between Fishing Bridge Junction and Mud Volcano was temporarily closed beginning Wednesday afternoon when the LeHardy Fire blew across the road.
Park officials say firefighters have secured the area, allowing visitors to travel through without stopping.
However, there could be temporary traffic delays of up to 10 minutes as helicopters continue to fly over the area and drop water on the fire.
Firefighters working on the LeHardy Fire were making good progress on Sunday in their efforts to create a wider fire line between the southern flank of the fire and Fishing Bridge.
Visitors could see large smoke plumes as crews conducted burn out operations to clear unburned fuels and optimize fire breaks.
Cooler temperatures and slightly higher humidity aided in the progress and structure fire specialists arrived on Sunday evening to set up protection equipment in Fishing Bridge. The equipment will be kept on hand as a precautionary measure at both the sewage treatment area and in the retail areas.
Meanwhile, a firefighter working on the fire received minor injuries when he was briefly roughed up by a frightened grizzly bear.
The bear, is believed to have been acting instinctually and appeared to be trying to leave the fire area when the firefighter found himself unknowingly in the bear's path.
The firefighter was treated and released at the Yellowstone Clinic.
Crews will continue mop up and burnout operations throughout Monday and Tuesday.
Roads and recreation areas in Yellowstone National Park have been reopened and back country trail closure information can be found by calling 307-344-2160 or by checking with any of the back country offices during regular business hours.
(from August 3, 2008)
Firefighters are still hard at work trying to contain the LeHardy Fire which is burning in Yellowstone National Park.
Gusty winds and low humidity have helped the blaze to grow to over 4,000 acres, and it's moving in a northeast direction into the back country, away from Fishing Bridge.
Hotshots and engine crews , being aided by water drops, are continuing to reinforce a control line along the section of the fire on the west bank of the Yellowstone River.
Officials say the blaze poses no risks to visitors at Yellowstone National Park and all entrances and seasonal services remain open.
(from August 2, 2008)
The LeHardy Fire which is burning in Yellowstone National park has made a significant run on Saturday.
The blaze has now burned nearly 1,800 acres but does not pose a threat to park visitors.
It's burning to the northeast and away from the Grand Loop Road and the Fishing Bridge area.
The blaze was sparked by a downed power line on Wednesday.
(from August 1, 2008)
Firefighters in Yellowstone National Park have contained the section of the LeHardy Fire along the west bank of the Yellowstone River, according to information released by the park.
At noon Friday, the Grand Loop Road between Fishing Bridge and Mud Volcano was reopened to traffic.
Visitors will be required to travel through the area without stopping. The park warns there could be temporary traffic delays of up to ten minutes as helicopters continue to fly over the area and drop water on the fire.
The LeHardy fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in a power line corridor west of the road. Gusty winds quickly pushed the fire east across the road and the Yellowstone River.
Some back country trails remain temporarily closed. Updated information is available at all of the park's Back country Offices or by calling 307-344-2160 during business hours.
The section of the Yellowstone River within the fire perimeter is temporarily closed to fishing.
The park reminds people that the LeHardy Fire does not pose a threat to visitors. The fire is burning to the northeast and away from the Grand Loop Road and the Fishing Bridge area.
The fire is now estimated at 505 acres.
A red flag warning has been issued for Yellowstone National Park until 8 p.m. A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service when hot temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity are forecast, which could result in active fire behavior and fire growth.
The LeHardy Fire, which is burning In Yellowstone National Park, is holding steady at around 600 acres burned.
Lighter winds and additional firefighters resulted in a day of significant progress on Thursday.
The blaze is north of Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park, and officials tell us it was started by a power line which runs in a utility corridor west of the Grand Loop Road between Fishing Bridge and Canyon.
Gusty southwest winds pushed the fire east across a section of the road about three miles north of Fishing Bridge near LeHardy Rapids, and then the fire jumped across the Yellowstone River.
The winds aligned with a creek drainage on the east side of the river prompted steady and rapid fire growth through the afternoon and into the Thursday evening.
Yellowstone National Park firefighters, West Yellowstone Smokejumpers, two Type 1 air tankers from Billings, two helicopters and fire engines from several surrounding areas are assigned to the fire.
Additional firefighting resources, including two Type I hand crews are on order and are expected to be on the scene Friday.
Since the LeHardy Fire has burned along a section of the Grand Loop Road, and is still actively burning, the section of the road between Fishing Bridge Junction and Mud Volcano is expected to remain closed.
All park entrances and all seasonal visitor services remain open and officials say at this point the fire is not a threat to visitors, although some campsites and back country trails are affected.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
(from July 31, 2008)
In Yellowstone National Park, the LeHardy wildfire is now estimated at just over 500 acres in size. The blaze is now under attack by some 140 firefighters, nearly twice the number from Wednesday.
The fire has forced the temporary closure of the road between Fishing Bridge Junction and Mud Volcano.
The fire also cut electrical service to the Fishing Bridge and Lake area, which is now running on generator power.
The LeHardy fire started Tuesday by a downed power line.
All park entrances and visitor services remain open.
A wildfire continues to burn in Yellowstone National Park.
A large plume of smoke has settled in the area and officials expect it could continue to grow due to weather conditions.
Today's forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s, with humidity between 17 and 23 percent and afternoon winds from the southwest at 10 to 15 miles an hour with gusts to 25 miles and hour.
The LeHardy Fire was started by a power line, which runs in a utility corridor west of the Grand Loop Road between Fishing Bridge and Canyon, according to a press release from the park.
Gusty southwest winds pushed the fire east across a section of the road about three miles north of Fishing Bridge near LeHardy Rapids then jumped across the Yellowstone River.
Winds aligned with a creek drainage on the east side of the river prompted steady, rapid fire growth through Wednesday afternoon and into an evening.
Park firefighters, West Yellowstone smokejumpers, two Type 1 air tankers from Billings, two helicopters and fire engines from several surrounding areas are already assigned to the fire. Additional firefighting resources were expected to arrive this morning.
Because the fire has burned along a section of the Grand Loop Road and is still actively burning, the section of the road between Fishing Bridge Junction and Mud Volcano is expected to remain closed through the day.
Some back country trails and campsites are also impacted by the fire.
The LeHardy Fire does not pose a threat to visitors. It is burning to the northeast away from roads and developed areas in a mature lodge pole and spruce forest. All park entrances and all seasonal visitor services are open.
This is the third fire in Yellowstone National Park this season. The other fires were just one-tenth of an acre in size each.
Click here to visit the park's Web site.
A wildfire burning in Yellowstone National Park has grown in size.
Park officials say a downed power line started the LeHardy fire on Wednesday afternoon and forced the closure of part of the Grand Loop Road north of Fishing Bridge, and has burned about 600 acres.
Two fire engines, smoke jumpers and helicopters are also on hand to battle the blaze.
The LeHardy Fire is not posing a threat to Yellowstone National Park visitors and all
park entrances and visitor services are open.
A small fire is burning in Yellowstone National Park three miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction near Yellowstone Lake.
A downed power line sparked the blaze and gusty winds have been fanning it throughout the afternoon, said park spokesperson Al Nash.
The fire, which is being called the LeHardy Fire, is estimated to be between five and 10 acres in size.
The fire has led to the temporary closure of a section of the Grand Loop Road as the flames have jumped the road and the Yellowstone River.
