Fishing Bridge, WY. With the change in wind direction, firefighters were able to use fire to fight fire. An indirect fire line was established along the Pelican Valley Stock Trail, 3 miles east of Fishing Bridge. Fire crews completed a burnout operation, lighting unburned fuels between the fireline and the fire using drip torches and aerial ignition devices. Removing unburned fuels between the fire line and the fire is a critical ingredient of firefighter safety and stopping the spread of the fire.

The East Entrance Road to Yellowstone Park remains under temporary closure. The fire has affected a 12-mile long section of the road. Current hazards along the road include burning trees, fire-weakened trees, falling snags and rocks. The fire team and park staff will be working to reopen the road as soon as it is safe for public travel. Suppression efforts are being focused along the road and near Sylvan Pass in an attempt to contain the eastward spread of the fire.

PLEASE NOTE: Park viewpoints, trails and facilities in the Fishing Bridge, Yellowstone Lake, Bridge Bay and Grant Village areas remain open for business as usual. Lodging and businesses west of Cody along the North Fork Road corridor remain open . The east entrance (Cody side) is the only park entrance affected by the fire.

As of 5:00 pm Sunday the size of the East fire is estimated at 14,000 acres. The Grizzly fire is estimated at 300 acres and is currently unstaffed due to unsafe conditions for firefighters caused by erratic winds and continuous, tinder-dry fuels. A total of 222 firefighters are assigned to the incident (12 Type 2 crews), supported by 8 engines, 7 tenders, 1 heavy lift helicopter, 2 medium and 2 light helicopters. Current containment is estimated at 10% and estimated final size of the East and Grizzly fires combined is 40,000 acres. Estimated cost to date is $725,000.

Fire officials are watching the weather and the developing change in fire activity caused by changing wind direction, increased wind speeds and a continued drying trend.

A community meeting is scheduled at the Cody Auditorium in Cody, Wyoming on Monday, August 18th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm Fire officials will provide the latest information about the fire and plans for the future.