Posted: Sep 6, 2011 3:05 PM by KBZK Media Center with information from Yellowstone National Park
Steady winds and drier weather pushed the Point Fire on the eastern shore of Yellowstone Lake to 1,100 acres over the Labor Day weekend.
As a precautionary measure, the Thorofare Trail has been closed from the Nine Mile Trailhead to one mile south of the fire area, according to a news release from the park. The park warns that smoke will likely be visible around the eastern edge of the lake and on portions of the East Entrance road.
Meanwhile, five lightning caused wildland fires, managed as the Heart Complex, are still burning in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park.
The Gibbon Fire, burning three miles southeast of Madison Junction, has seen little new fire activity and remains estimated at 16-18 acres.
Three other fires, the Ouzel, Huckleberry and Pitchstone are all one acre or less in size. They are being managed to allow natural processes to occur to enhance the area's natural resources, to protect people and property, and to effectively use available firefighting resources.
The Sour Fire, which was burning east of Canyon Village, and the Heart Fire, which was burning north of Heart Lake, were declared out at a tenth of an acre, Sept. 4 and 6, respectively.
Other than limited temporary closures of some backcountry campsites and hiking trails, all park entrances, roads and services are open. None of these fires pose a threat to park visitors, the park says.
When actively burning, smoke from any of these fires may be visible from park roadways. Updated information is available 24-hours a day by calling 307-344-2580, or on the web at http://www.inciweb.org/unit/5382/.
(Photo of Point Fire from nps.gov)
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