The Lone Star Fire has necessitated the closure of the Ferns Cascade Trail, a 2.5-mile loop just south of Old Faithful.
The trail joins trails and campsites in the Shoshone Lake and Lone Star Geyser area that have been closed since the fire began August 22, 23 miles southwest of the developed areas of Old Faithful.
The warmer, drier weather continues to have a “moderate effect” on the still-burning fire, which has ignited 3,348 acres of mature spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine forest.
Yesterday, September 13, the fire transitioned to a Type 3 Team. This means resources used to combat the fire are mostly local and there’s a new team under the command of Rob Smolcynski, a Fire Engine Captain with the U.S. Forest Service.
The current efforts are still focused on preventing damage to infrastructure in the area, mainly through fuel reduction. The removal of trees and dense vegetation near Old Faithful will provide a barrier should the fire change direction and threaten buildings and important structures in the area.
40% of the planned acreage has already been treated for fuel reduction, including a water treatment plant and cell tower in the vicinity. The work is now shifting to the buildings close to the Old Faithful residential area.
The top priority is and has been the safety of visitors and firefighters.
