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The largest fire in Yellowstone National Park this year, dubbed the Antelope Fire, has grown to 2,199 acres and winds have pushed the fire up Mount Washburn.

The lightning-caused fire, which is burning southeast of Tower Fall and west of the Yellowstone River, is 20 percent contained.

Because of the fire's close proximity to the road and safety of the firefighters working in the area, Grand Loop Road between Chittenden Road (Mt. Washburn Lookout road) and Tower Fall store remains closed to visitors until further notice, according to a news release from Yellowstone National Park.

On Monday, fire personnel saw moderate fire behavior with isolated burning in pockets of heavy fuel and little activity in the grass, which enabled firefighters to make progress towards securing the north side of the fire perimeter, the park said.

Firefighters on the ground plan to continue to reinforce the new control line on the northwest flank of the fire with the help of helicopters and air tankers and crews will strive to keep the fire from moving west across Antelope Creek, according to the park. Structural firefighters and engines will remain at the Tower Fall area as a precautionary measure. The southern end of the fire will continue to be monitored.

One Type 1 helicopter, two Type 2 helicopters, nine fire engines, several West Yellowstone Smokejumpers, firefighters from Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin National Forest and one 20-person firefighting hand crew from Missouri are assigned to the fire.
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