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Two wildfires that ignited near Devil’s Tower over the weekend burned roughly 600 acres combined and forced the temporary closure of trails at the national monument, officials said — a disruption that matters now for visitors, nearby residents and ongoing fire response efforts.
Park rangers confirmed Monday that vehicles can still reach the visitor center parking area, but all hiking routes remain closed while firefighters work in the monument’s vicinity.
What happened
The first blaze, now identified as the Left Creek Fire, was reported around midday Saturday southwest of Devil’s Tower and expanded to about 282 acres by Sunday. A second incident, the Newton Fire near the cemetery on the monument’s perimeter, was detected Sunday and grew to roughly 300 acres.
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By late Sunday, federal and county updates showed no confirmed containment figures. Crook County Emergency Management said more than 100 firefighters and multiple aircraft or ground resources were assigned to both incidents as crews prioritized protecting the monument and nearby infrastructure.
- Combined area burned: ~600 acres
- Left Creek Fire: reported Saturday, ~282 acres
- Newton Fire: reported Sunday, ~300 acres
- Access: visitor center parking open; trails closed
- Evacuation alert: moved from “prepare” to “ready” Sunday night
- Response: 100+ firefighters and multiple assets assigned
Why it matters today
Devil’s Tower draws tourists and outdoor recreationists year-round; restricted trail access affects planned visits and could alter local traffic and lodging demand while crews remain active. The change in evacuation alert status also signals that communities near the fires should stay alert for further orders.
Fire activity in a national monument can complicate suppression work and public safety because steep terrain and visitor infrastructure require careful coordination between federal, state and local agencies. Officials are directing people to official channels for the latest conditions rather than relying on social media reports.
Where to get updates
For continuing information, monitor updates from the National Interagency Fire Center, Crook County Emergency Management and the National Park Service’s Devil’s Tower page. Those sources will carry the most reliable status on containment, closures and any evacuation notices.
Engine crews and aircraft were still working into Sunday evening; containment and cause had not been reported at the time of the last public briefings. Residents and visitors should expect changing conditions and plan accordingly if they intend to travel to the area.
