1988day.year
Yellowstone National Park is closed for the first time in U.S. history due to ongoing fires.
Yellowstone National Park closed for the first time in U.S. history on September 8, 1988, as wildfires raged across its landscape.
In response to an unprecedented outbreak of wildfires fueled by drought and high winds, park authorities shut down Yellowstone to protect visitors and firefighters. The 1988 fires burned over 793,000 acres, affecting ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and historic landmarks. Fire management strategies, including controlled burns and fuel reduction, were reevaluated after the crisis. The closure prompted national dialogue on wildfire suppression, forest ecology, and climate influences. Scientists studied the long-term effects of fire on Yellowstone’s flora and fauna, contributing to modern fire management policies. The 1988 blaze remains one of the most significant environmental events in U.S. parks history.
1988
ongoing fires