As the sun sets in Yellowstone, the Mt. Washburn web cam is showing spectacular images of the Arnica fire, 5 miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground, and a few miles north of West Thumb.
Yesterday this lightning-caused fire was reported to be 4 acres, but I have a feeling it’s a little larger now.
The fire was described by the park in a news release issued today:
It is located 5 miles west of the Bridge Bay Campground and the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake. The lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest. As of late Wednesday afternoon, it was estimated at 4 acres in size and growing slowly. Firefighters are monitoring the fire and developing management strategies. This is the 20th fire reported in Yellowstone National Park this year.
The Bridge Bay Campground and Marina have already closed for the season. The fire is not burning near any hiking trails or backcountry campsites.
Here is a map of the Arnica fire showing heat detected by satellites at 3:55 p.m. MT Sept. 24. The red area contains heat that was detected within the previous 12 hours.
