WILDLAND FIRE INFORMATION

Montana is 93 million acres of spectacular unspoiled nature. Because of our diverse landscape and weather, wildfires happen as a natural part of Montana’s ecology. Sometimes a fire occurs near a popular destination, but there’s no reason to let it stop you from enjoying your West Yellowstone experience.

According to a recent report from the Montana Drought and Water Advisory Committee, Montana is experiencing the most severe drought in over 20 years. Extreme drought combined with the current forest health crisis has created a significant risk for wildfires. Help Montanans reduce the risk by recreating responsibly.

SMOKE & AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS

Air quality conditions across Montana can be impacted by smoke from numerous wildland fires within Montana and adjoining states, even sometimes Canada. Good to Moderate conditions span Montana right now as a ridge of high pressure returns the region to hot and dry conditions. This return will likely kick up fire activity, increasing the potential for smoke and haze over the state, especially directly downwind from active fires.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services maintains a website with health information related to wildfire smoke. To access it, click here.

Multiple factors contribute to air quality and conditions can change often. If smoke is heavy or you’re sensitive to it, you may wish to consider adjusting your itinerary until air quality improves. Even if you see smoke, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re close to a fire. Sometimes smoke blows in from hundreds of miles away.

For up-to-date air quality conditions from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, click here.

UPDATES

7.28.2023: SMALL REMOTE FIRE IN YNP, FIRE DANGER HIGH

New small and remote wildland fire in Yellowstone National Park

Parkwide fire danger is HIGH

A visitor to Yellowstone National Park spotted the remote Hitching Post Fire about 5.5 miles south of the park’s Northeast Entrance Road and .5 miles east of the Lamar River Trail in Lamar Valley.
The fire was likely ignited by lightning on July 25.
Currently, it is about .5 acres and smoldering in steep terrain.
Today, crews are working to confine it.
Currently, there are no closures due to the fire.

Stay informed

The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is HIGH.  
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 cold to the touch before abandoning. Soak, stir, feel, repeat.
Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone.

####

—

Public Affairs Office

Strategic Communications, Office of the Superintendent

Yellowstone National Park

Office: 307-344-2015

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. M-F

7.26.23: OPEN BURN BAN IN HEBGEN BASIN FIRE DISTRICT

Open burning is now closed. Please note our current risk level is at a 4. For updates on open burning, you can visit the Gallatin County burn permit site at https://gallatinburnpermits.com/

7.25.23: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FIRE ACTIVITY UPDATE

The first confirmed 2023 wildland fire in Yellowstone; Parkwide fire danger is now HIGH.

On July 22, the first confirmed wildland fire of the season in Yellowstone National Park was detected by a visitor. The 0.1-acre lightning-ignited fire was located between Little Cottonwood Creek and Hellroaring Mountain in the northern part of the park. Four smokejumpers based in West Yellowstone, Montana, suppressed the fire and declared it out.

Currently, there are NO active wildland fires in the park. And there are NO fire restrictions in place or planned in the park.

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.

Fire danger is HIGH in Yellowstone. Learn more about what wildland fire danger levels mean.

Please remember:

Campfires are only permitted within the fire rings in campgrounds and at some, not all, backcountry campsites.
All campfires must be attended at all times and be cold to the touch before abandoning. Soak, stir, feel, and repeat until out cold.

For information on current fire restrictions in counties surrounding the park, visit Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

If fire-related closures occur, they will be listed on InciWeb pages linked below. Closures affecting Yellowstone roads will also be listed on the park roads page. Closures affecting park trails and trailheads will be listed on the backcountry situation report. Please call 307-344-7102 for regular recorded updates.

Stay informed about current fire activity in Yellowstone at: https://www.nps.gov/…/management/current-fire-activity.htm