Chickadee Fire burning in Yellowstone Park
5-acre lightning fire started July 14th
July 22, 2005
A fire in a remote area northwest of West Thumb of Yellowstone National Park is putting up smoke and may be visible from some locations along the park's road system and Yellowstone Lake, park officials said Thursday.
The Chickadee Fire, a lightning-caused fire that started on July 14, is currently estimated to be around 5 acres. Fire monitors are evaluating the fire's growth and any weather changes that could affect fire behavior. The fire is also being monitored from fire lookout towers and by daily aerial reconnaissance.
The Chickadee Fire is being managed as a Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefits since it supports one of the park's fire management goals of allowing natural fires to play their role in the ecosystem and does not threaten any park visitors or property. No backcountry trails or campsites are closed or impacted by the fire.
The park has received above normal rainfall this spring and summer. Indices used to help determine fire potential and severity confirm that Yellowstone National Park is wetter than average for this time of year. The park's current Fire Danger Rating is Moderate.
There have been three wildland fires in Yellowstone Park this year. The Chickadee Fire is the only fire that is active at this time. Updated fire information is available on the park's web site at http://www.nps.gov/yell/technical/fire/index.htm.
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