JACKSON - In northwest Wyoming, rain, humidity and cooler temperatures have helped firefighters on several blazes.

In some other parts of the state, storms have caused problems.

Fire officials reported Thursday that wetter, cooler weather was largely keeping blazes in check in Yellowstone National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Flash flooding caused trouble elsewhere.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported several floods affecting roadways. Water flowed across U.S. Highway 26 west of Kinnear in Fremont County Thursday, and old tires were carried by water onto a right of way on Highway 26-287 east of Dubois.

In Laramie, a severe thunderstorm that included hail on Wednesday flooded numerous homes around Laramie. Volunteers worked throughout the night to remove water and mud from flooded buildings, according to The Associated Press.

News from the firefighting front was much better.

On the Bridger-Teton, the Granite fire was reported at 1,452 acres Thursday, representing little change in the over the last few days. The crew has been downsized to 10 firefighters. Although there was estimated to be just .04 inches of rain on the fire by Thursday, cooler temperatures were helping quiet the blaze, which is still estimated at zero percent contained.

Forest officials have said the Granite Creek Road will be reopened today.

In Yellowstone, the Owl fire, which erupted in growth earlier this week from 300 to 2,810 acres, was still estimated at zero percent contained. Major fire activity was prevented this week with showers and humidity, according to the National Park Service.

That fire is burning 20 miles northeast of West Yellowstone.

The Beaverdam Fire in Yellowstone is a different story this year, as that lightning-caused fire, burning in the backcountry east of Yellowstone Lake, is being allowed to burn.

Al Nash, spokesman for Yellowstone, said the fire is so remote that it does not threaten people or structures, and the agency consulted with other land managers to determine the fire could be used for resource benefit.

"We're keeping good tabs on this fire," he said. The Beaverdam Fire has burned about 540 acres.

Earlier this year, land managers said they would fight any fire because of extremely dry conditions. Rain this week, and the lack of availability of resources, also contributed to the Park Service's decision not to fight the Beaverdam.

"We feel very confident that this particular fire is in a place and a location and with fuels where we can use this fire for its ecological benefits and don't immediately have to go into suppression," Nash said. He said moisture later in the week has helped "quiet" the fire.

Firefighters are stretched thin with 110 blazes around the country, burning more than 3 million acres.

Reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.