The Clearwater fire about 11 miles west of Wapiti in Park County, Wyoming, remained at 7% containment Tuesday with nearly 2,000 acres burned in the Shoshone National Forest.
The Wyoming Incident Command center estimates that full containment of the fire, burning in rugged, inaccessible terrain, may not be until about Oct. 15.
Elk Fork Campground is closed indefinitely while two others, Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground, are closed until fire conditions allow otherwise. Road and trail closures are also in effect at NFS Road 424, Elk Fork Road and NFS Trail 760 and Elk Fork Trail.
Fire incident spokeswoman Ranae Pape explained that the closures provide for public safety and increased access for fire resources.
Shooting The Flames
Greg Wise, a photographer from Powell, has been shooting video and photographs of the fire and sharing them and updates on the burn to social media.
He said that his 11th trip to Yellowstone was about chasing grizzlies, but instead he found a wildfire.
“I went inside Yellowstone the day the fire blew up,” Wise said. “When we went in on the North Fork, we saw the smoke — no fire, just smoke. We saw firefighters out there just kind of digging in the ground, building a line of no vegetation. They were worried about the fire crossing the road, I guess, but we went into Yellowstone.”
Greg and his wife, Susan, were heading into the park to take photos of a family of grizzlies they had been following for nearly a decade. They were unable to find the bears, affectionately named by others as Raspberry, Snow and Jam, so ended up heading home early.
“We came out and the smoke was so heavy,” Wise said. ”We looked at the soft cloud from the fire, and so I stopped and just got out of the car and started shooting.”
Not long after the couple had pulled over than a ranger drove up. He told them that although they were allowed to be parked there, he was concerned for their safety and suggested that they move farther up. That move actually worked out for Wise.
“The ranger told us that if you go up farther, it would make your view better,” Wise said. “He told us that we might actually be able to see the flames. He was right. I drove a little further and got views of the flames.”
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography) 
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography) 
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography) 
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography) 
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography) 
The Clearwater fire burning in the Shoshoni National Forest east of Yellowstone and near Wapiti, Wyoming. (Courtesy Greg Wise, Wiseguy Photography)
Hazy Skies
Wise said that smoke had made the skies hazy in Yellowstone, which had also affected his chance for good photos.
However, he pointed out that was from fires much further to the west.
Pape agreed and said the Clearwater fire has not been the only blaze contributing to the smoky conditions around western Wyoming. Smoke from fires in Canada as well as Idaho and the Pacific Northwest have been a steady influence across the Bighorn Basin for many days.
She also added that despite the Clearwater fire, there are no burning restrictions in place on the Shoshone National Forest.
Pape is quick to remind tourists and campers to always be vigilant about possible ignition sources. When dousing a campfire, “drown, stir, feel for heat, and repeat,” she said.
Not Chasing The Fire
Wise has no intention of chasing the fire for more photographs. However, he is planning for his next trip to Yellowstone.
The highway has remained open and he still wants to get a good photo of the grizzly family and other wildlife in the park.
“If the fire were to blow up, I would certainly head over there,” Wise said. “We plan to try to go to Yellowstone again the latter part of the week. And so definitely, as I roll by, I'll see what's happening.”
Contact Jackie Dorothy at jackie@cowboystatedaily.com
Jackie Dorothy can be reached at jackie@cowboystatedaily.com.
