Yellowstone issues alert as smoke from distant fires reaches park
Distant wildfires are creating smoky conditions in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park to the south.
“Heads Up! Smoky conditions are expected to continue this week in the park,” Yellowstone cautioned Monday night via Facebook. “Wind can blow smoke from far-away wildland fires for hundreds of miles, which is what’s causing the current smoky conditions in the park.
“As record-breaking heat and historic drought conditions continue in the western U.S. this summer, be sure to check air quality conditions before spending a lot of time outdoors!”
Yellowstone, which has Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect, posted the accompanying images showing the Roosevelt Arch in a smoky haze on Monday (top images), and the same park-entrance landmark in Gardiner, Montana, on a typical summer day.
Grand Teton National Park has not issued any alerts but smoke extends throughout portions of the park and at least as far south as Jackson, Wyoming.
Prospective visitors can access an interactive map showing active wildfires and air-quality conditions pertaining to smoke in the region.
–Images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park
