Fires Heat Up in Yellowstone

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A wildfire in the heart of Yellowstone National Park has forced a temporary closure of a 13-mile section of the Grand Loop Road. The section closed is between Fishing Bridge Junction and South Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Meantime, more firefighters are arriving to bolster defenses against the Alum Fire. While four other fires in the park are in remote areas well away from developed areas, the Alum Fire is close enough to facilities along the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake to cause some concern.

About 150 firefighters and equipment are being positioned in the Lake, Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay areas in case the fire threatens those areas. The fire was started by lightning last week and has burned about 7 square miles.