After weeks of hot and dry weather, Yellowstone National Park’s fire managers raised the fire danger rating to “high”. The warning comes as the park heads into its busiest season and one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year.
Traci Weaver with Yellowstone National Park says that means visitors to the park this July 4th weekend need to be extra-careful when dealing with fire. She says campfires should be completely put out and cool to the touch, and fireworks are not allowed anywhere in the park. That includes things you might not think of as fireworks.
"Sparklers are definitely considered a firework so they are not allowed in the national park either. And if you think about how hot they burn and they are really close to the ground, they are actually a greater hazard than some of the aerial fireworks as far as starting wildfires," says Weaver.
Weaver says most wildfires are started by lightning, but the potential hazards of campfires and fireworks should be taken seriously.
