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Melting Yellowstone Road Temporarily Closed

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park officials have temporarily closed a loop called Firehole Lake Drive because of damaged road surfaces caused by extreme heat.

Park spokesperson Dan Hottle says extreme temperatures coming from the surrounding thermal areas have caused oil to bubble to the surface of the 3 mile loop that branches off a heavily-used route through the park called the Grand Loop Road, "creating an unsafe condition for drivers".

The closed loop usually takes visitors past Great Fountain Geyser, White Dome Geyser and Firehole Lake.

Hottle says "this is a problem we face quite often". Some of the thermal features in the park can reach temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and all that heat causes major damage to Yellowstone Park roads every year.

Road crews are in the process of repairs, and Hottle says "we may have it back open in time for next week".

Travelers looking to get updated road information for Yellowstone National Park can visit their website or call 307-344-2117

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