Since the first week of September, 16 of the park’s estimated 2,000 employees, or 0.8 percent, have tested positive for COVID-19, including seven National Park Service and nine concession employees. Eight of the 16 individuals have recovered, while the other eight individuals are still in recovery. All employees who have tested positive have been isolated per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and county public health guidelines. Contact tracing has occurred with the assistance of Park County, MT, and Park County, WY. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/20039.htm

The parkwide wildland fire danger for Yellowstone has been reduced to HIGH. Backcountry fire restrictions will be lifted on October 1. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/093020.htm

At about 11:45 a.m. Monday, September 21, 2020, a ranger on a backcountry patrol in the Heart Lake area (southeast corner of Yellowstone) detected the new Hancock Fire. The 0.1-acre fire is believed to be lightning-ignited, since a strike was seen very close to that location a few days prior. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/200922.htm

The park hosted 881,543 recreation visits in August 2020. This is a 7.5% increase from August 2019, making it the second busiest August on record. The busiest August on record was in 2017, the year of the solar eclipse. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/20038.htm

The Old Faithful Overpass Bridge remains closed as repair work continues. The closure allows crews full access to the entire deck surface and approach lanes. https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/091020.htm