Lightning fire in Yellowstone first of season

JACKSON (WNE) — A 0.1-acre wildland fire that broke out in Yellowstone National Park, dubbed the "Milepost 17 Fire" and the first of the season, was on track to be contained on Tuesday, the park announced in a Monday press release.

The lightning-ignited fire was detected by a motorist driving on Highway 191, on the west side of the park, after lightning torched a single tree almost a mile west of Highway 191 and 17 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yellowstone wildland firefighters were suppressing the fire and expected it to be controlled yesterday, the release said.

Fire danger in the park remains low, the agency said, and currently there are no fire restrictions in place or planned in the park.

Yellowstone National Park reminded visitors, however, that campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Those fires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning.

"Soak, stir, feel, repeat," the agency wrote.

Up-to-date information on fire activity in the park can be found online. The Milepost 17 Fire was listed as "suppressed" at that website.