Cody– The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has temporarily closed all roads within Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area due to a wildfire. 

Access will reopen once fire activity subsides and hazards along roadways are addressed. 

As of Monday, March 23, the Kane Fire is approximately 1900 acres, with much of it burning on National Park Service land in thick riparian vegetation. The fire has currently not impacted any structures or historical sites on the WHMA. 

The wildfire was reported Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and an investigation into the cause is ongoing. 

Lovell Fire Department was first on the scene with help from Big Horn County Sheriff's Office and Wyoming Highway Patrol. The Bureau of Land Management has taken over command of the fire and additional fire crews from U.S. Forest Service, BLM and cooperating agencies arrived Sunday evening.

Updates on the Kane Fire will be posted on the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area social media channels and website as additional information becomes available.

Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area is located approximately six miles east of Lovell and comprises 19,288 acres. The area was established in the early 1960s for the primary purpose of enhancing waterfowl habitat through a cooperative agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Photo courtesy of NPS.