GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Firefighters chopped down trees and searched for hotspots on steep hillsides Sunday as they battled a wildfire that has blocked an entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Wildfire managers said their top priority is clearing a highway that leads to Yellowstone and protecting campgrounds, buildings and archaeological sites. They also are making sure there are no flare-ups or falling trees that could cause injuries or death.
Strong winds blew down several trees Saturday, blocking some roadways. Travelers have been warned to be cautious on roads around the park that remain open.
The fire that began last month in neighboring Grand Teton National Park is blocking Yellowstone's south entrance, near the resort town of Jackson. Yellowstone also has entrance stations near Cody and in Montana.
Joel Dugger, with a wildfire crew based near Redding, Calif., said he and six other firefighters have been working for 10 days to corral the Grand Teton fire and keep it contained.
“That way we won't have a potential reburn through these areas that are green,” he said.
Linda Burroughs, a visitor from Russell, Pa., who is traveling with a group of senior citizens, said wildfire cut short their planned two-day visit to Yellowstone National Park. They had to take a four-hour detour to get to their Jackson Lake lodge, south of the Grand Teton fire.
“We see the smoke off and on,” she said, but so far, the fire isn't threatening tourists at the lodge.
With the highway blocked, visitors in Grand Teton who want to go to Yellowstone have to drive into Idaho and Montana to the west entrance. Fire officials said the road might reopen as early as Tuesday.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks and Bridger Teton National Forest have area closures in effect, but both national parks are open to visitors.
