Dirk & The Dodo

THE RUBBER DODO COMES HOME TO ROOST

.. The Center for Biological Diversity has presented their first annual Rubber Dodo award to Dirk Kempthorne.

READ IT HERE

GRIST REPORTS IT HERE

TALK TO DIRK HERE

Mary Bomar Visits

NO NEW INSIGHTS

Sylvan Pass Under Scrutiny

.. Mary Bomar visited with us yesterday. That's it. She refused to comment on the winter closure proposed for the east entrance to Yellowstone. Read the report in the Casper Star Tribune.

Short Takes 01

GRIZZLIES & OTHERS

.. Griz visits Washington -

"Bears that are both conditioned to human foods and habituated to human presence often become dangerous to people. Removal was considered the best course of action in this case to prevent a possible human injury and further property damage."

.. Get a passport to visit Yellowstone? -

Jerry Gaumer, deputy director of communications for the National Park Service, said he’s not sure how Yellowstone, for example, or any other unit of the Park Service would handle the Real ID program.

.. Bison don't meet criteria for listing -

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that a petition to list the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) bison herd as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) does not provide substantial scientific or commercial information to indicate listing may be warranted at this time.

.. Brief rains help firefighters -

Monday’s cooler temperatures and scattered rain gave firefighters the edge they need on several Montana fires, including the Jocko Lakes fire burning near Seeley Lake and the Black Cat fire burning northwest of Missoula.

Blessed & Unexpected Weather

WIDESPREAD SHOWERS BLESS YELLOWSTONE

.. Gentle showers and thunderstorms are aligned with the northern wildfires in Yellowstone National Park. The fortuitous arrangement has made a significant difference in the prognosis for these fires and their duration.
.. Forecast for the southern part of the park is encouraging over the next week. Cooling is also anticipated by mid week.

Briefs:
- Old Faithful webcam
- National Weather Service Radar
- Star Tribune Precis
- TOPIX National Parks News

Heat & Fires Force Creative Adaptations

FROM MAINE TO YELLOWSTONE

IT'S HOT

.. Via: Cute Overload

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.. There's fires too:

..
.. Via: INCIWEB (1) (2) (3)
.. The East Entrance To Yellowstone Remains Closed
.. Evacuations near park possible

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Briefs:
.. Crash kills at Old Faithful
.. Grizzly Man in action
.. Lease your own geyser?
.. $2,259 Lodging & Learning offered in Yellowstone by Xanterra
.. Lynx Ruling challenged

It's Not Over Yet

MONTANA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Wildfires Gain Ground

many states on fire

.. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer declared a state of emergency yesterday and ordered additional homes evacuated in the area of the Jocko Fire west of Seely Lake near Missoula.
.. Wildfires from Philadelphia to Oregon have the fire crews of our nation working hard to contain and extinguish the fires.
.. Evacuation shelters for the Jocko fire have been established at the Bonner Elementary School and the Condon Work Center.
The GACC detailed Situation Report shows the myriad fires and their status for the Northern Rockies. The national report can be found HERE.
.. The Owl Fire on Yellowstone's northern boundary is nearly contained and management will be turned over to the park today. Check the daily updates at YNP News, and at the YNP Owl Fire Fact Sheet.

Three Blessed Days

HEAVY AFTERNOON SHOWERS

Fire Camp Shrinking

burn area still "restricted access"

.. The last three days have provided afternoon relief from the blistering heat. During the showers there is as much as a 25 degree drop in temperature.
.. The fire camp north of town is getting smaller as crews are moved to more critical fires, and the helicopter crews are down to just one.
.. The fire danger is still high to very high but the extreme conditions have ameliorated during the last week and have been aided by the area-wide afternoon showers.
.. Almost all roads in the area of the Madison Arm Fire are open. Hiking trails and unimproved motor trails are still closed.
.. Camping at the untouched Madison Arm Resort, Baker's Hole Campground, and Rainbow Point is available for quick access to Hebgen Lake, the Madison River, and Yellowstone National Park.
.. Stage 2 fire restrictions are still in effect for the Gallatin National Forest, and fire restrictions are also implemented for Yellowstone.