The fire near Triangle Lake was started by a lightning strike in a steep rugged canyon in the Bridger Wilderness Thursday afternoon north of Long Lake and east of Fremont Lake. Due to its low spread, this fire was not high priority at that time. Friday night the fire spread from 1/10th of an acre to 3 acres Saturday morning. A helicopter was called in and initial attack was begun around 11 am Saturday. Due to its location, the fire couldn't be reached by trail or horseback, so a helicopter landing spot was opened up and 4 firefighters began initial attack. The helicopter was used for bucket drops from about 2 until about 8 pm Saturday. By Saturday evening, the Triangle Lake fire was approximately 15 acres in size. Presently this fire has a low priority, but has the potential to be upgraded if it grows or threatens areas such as Titcomb Basin or into the Fremont Lake area. 

Fire fighting crews and the helicopter were pulled away from the Triangle Lake fire Saturday afternoon to work on a new fire that was discovered approximately 2 pm on the northeast edge of Half Moon lake. This fire grew from 1/10 acre to 10 acres within 2 hours, and by 10 pm Saturday evening was approximately 70 acres in size. The Half Moon fire started on the south facing slope next to the trail near the Pole Creek inlet to Half Moon Lake. As of late Saturday, this fire was believed to have been man-caused, possibly by a cigarette from a hiker, but this has not been officially determined. Saturday evening the fire spread from the lake to the top of the ridge and was threading the timber, creating concerns for being more difficult to fight if it reaches into the trees. 

Currently Half Moon Lake Resort is not threatened, but the Forest Service is creating an evacuation plan in case it becomes necessary. A Sublette County Sheriff's Office deputy has been stationed at the entrance to Half Moon Lake Road from Skyline Drive allowing only necessary traffic in and out of the area due to safety concerns about access into to the area for fire fighting personnel and equipment along the narrow road. At least 5 hikers and campers came down from the Fayette Lake area Saturday afternoon and were shuttled out across the lake by boat. The Forest Service wishes to thank Half Moon Lake Resort personnel for their assistance shuttling firefighters to within 50 feet of the fire and taking civilians out across the lake by boat. Ffirefighting efforts on the Triangle Lake and Half Moon fire have been a cooperative effort with the Forest Service, BLM and Sublette County. 

The Forest Service is asking outdoor visitors to promptly report any columns of smoke they see to either the local Sheriff's office or the Forest Service, admitting that with all the drift smoke in the air from the many fires going on it is somewhat difficult to spot columns of smoke from new fires. Outdoor recreationists are being asked to be extremely careful with fire, campfires and cigarettes, as fire danger is very high.  "Fuels are very, very volatile right now." said Cindy Stein, preliminary Information Officer for the Half Moon Fire late Saturday night. Fire fighting crews and equipment are in very short supply due to the many fires going on in the west. Anyone camping in the forest right now should be thinking about safety zones and escape routes from where they are staying. New fires can start very easily from lightning or carelessness. "People also need to be aware that the Forest Service won't risk people's lives for structures fighting fires." said Stein, adding that homeowners with summer homes in the area should be aware that if one of these fires grows quickly, there may not be time later for them to get back into their homes to retrieve valuables. Currently, the Forest Service says they are aware that people are very concerned about the new fires and possible threats to summer homes and the Half Moon Lake Resort area. People are being asked to only go into these areas if they have legitimate reasons to do so and to keep traffic on these narrow roads to a minimum so fire fighting personnel and equipment can get through. People using lakes where helicopters are getting water for bucket drops are asked to stay at least 500 feet back from where the helicopters are filling up with water.  

The Forest Service underwent a Wildland Fire Assessment late Saturday evening to determine the fire & fuel conditions and needs for manpower and equipment for these two fires, and discussions are taking place for evacuation plans, should they become necessary. Firefighting crews and equipment are already stretched very thin, so fires that threaten structures or personal safety will get resources first for firefighting. 

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