Yellowstone’s East Entrance to Fully Reopen
Officials expected to open Yellowstone’s east entrance 24 hours a day beginning Monday as favorable weather allowed firefighters to fully contain a two-week-old wildfire Saturday.
The lightning-caused fire began July 29 about one mile east of Sylvan Pass. The same day, the east gate closed because of danger to motorists from the fire and heavy equipment on and near the highway.
Rangers began allowing visitors through the entrance, one of five to the park, on Thursday during two daily two-hour periods.
The blaze scorched about 2,800 acres of timber and cost $5.7 million to fight.
By Saturday evening, some of the remaining 587 firefighters were packing up to leave for home or other fires across the country.
The firefighting force is expected to dwindle to 60 by Tuesday to monitor any flare-ups.
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