Extreme heat has damaged Firehole Lake Drive in Yellowstone National Park, causing a temporary closure of the popular scenic road in the park's Lower Geyser Basin.
A popular scenic road in Yellowstone National Park has been temporarily closed due to a damaged road surface from extremely high ground temperatures.
Extreme heat from surrounding thermal areas has caused thick oil to bubble to the surface of Firehole Lake Drive. The heat has damaged the blacktop and created unsafe driving conditions, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office.
Yellowstone is a seismically active area where deep underground heat drives geysers, bubbling mudpots and other thermal features, and manmade features ranging from boardwalks to roads and even buildings often suffer from extreme heat.
Firehole Lade Drive is located off the Grand Loop Road halfway between Old Faithful and Madison Junction in the park’s Lower Geyser Basin.
The 3.3-mile loop drive takes visitors past Great Fountain Geyser, White Dome Geyser and Firehole Lake.
The road will remain closed for the next several days while maintenance crews make repairs. Park officials have not provided a date for when they expect the road to reopen.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117 or visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm.