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Fire Update

Monday, September 3 update

Two fires now burn in the Bridger Wilderness. A new fire, approx 100 acres, is burning in the Clear Creek drainage near Green River Lakes in the northern portion of the Wind River Range. A Closure has been put into effect for the Clear Creek and Slide Lake areas. (see Closure Map) Hikers can still access the Continental Divide Trails along the western side of lower Green River Lakes and the western perimeter of the closure area.

The Iron Creek Fire is now at approximately 100 acres and is burning within management objectives in the Big Sandy area of the southern Wind River mountains. (fire map)

Scroll down this page for more details about area fire activity.

Campfires are NOT allowed in dispersed camping areas such as the one shown in the picture below.

Dispersed campsite with a fire ring

  • Visitors should expect firefighter and helicopter activity in the Green River Lakes (helibase at Kendall Guard Station) and Big Sandy areas (helibase in Irish Canyon).
  • Specific details about the fires on the western side of the Wind River Range are available from the Pinedale Ranger District, 307-367-4326. Information Officer for the Iron Creek Fire is Wyn Menefee, 307-367-5720.
  • Daily printed fire updates are being distributed to the Pinedale Post Office, Wrangler Cafe, Faler's General Store, the Great Outdoor Shop, Sublette County Library & Sheriff's Office, local motels, and Big Sandy Lodge. News releases are being given to local newspapers and KPIN radio station. Current fire information is also posted at trailheads for wilderness users.
  • Please remember fire danger is EXTREME. Fire restrictions are in place for all of Sublette County. No open fires are permitted except in designated areas. This restriction also applies to private land, burning trash, etc. Individuals who cause fires through negligence may be held responsible for the firefighting costs.
  • Please call in smoke columns that you see.
  • The Teton Fires web site up in Jackson has updates on fire activity on the Forest, www.tetonfires.com The Interagency Fire Information Center in Jackson closed on August 17th. The Bridger-Teton Forest is putting fire information up on their web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/fireinfo.htm

Bridger-Teton/Park Fire Updates

Iron Creek Fire in Fish Creek Park in southern Wind River Mountains
The Iron Creek Fire is burning in trees on both sides of the Fremont Trail in Fish Creek Park south of Dad's Lake in the Bridger Wilderness in the Big Sandy area. The fire was started by lightning last Sunday and is presently about 100 acres in size. It is being carefully managed and allowed to burn for resource benefits. Visitors can still us the Fremont Trail that goes through the meadow near this fire. Click for larger picture. Photo by the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Where to get more information:

For More Info on the Web

Teton Fires
Bridger-Teton National Forest

National Interagency Fire Center NIFC Wildland Fire Map

Press Releases

Bridger-Teton Fire Info
Jay Anderson, BTNF Public Affairs, Jackson
307-739-5542


Pinedale Ranger District
29 CR-154, Pinedale
307-367-4326
Wyn Menefee (Iron Ck Fire)
Fire Information Officer
307-367-5720

Big Piney Ranger District
315 S. Front, Big Piney
307-276-3375

Where to report fires:
Sublette County Sheriff's Office

911 or 307-367-4378
Pinedale Ranger District
307-367-4326
Big Piney Ranger District
307-276-3375
BTNF Supervisor's Office (Jackson)

307-739-5500
Teton Fire Dispatch
(Grand Teton Park in Moose)

307-739-3630
307-739-3300

Callers are reminded that if they are using a cell phone, they may not get a local office when they dial 911. The best place to call for area fires is either the local Sheriff's office or the Bridger-Teton Fire Office. Be prepared to give a location of the smoke, your name, where you are calling from, and how they can get ahold of you again for more information if needed.

Monday, September 3, 2001
FIRE DANGER is: EXTREME
Fire Restrictions remain in effect

|Clear Creek Fire| |Iron Creek Fire|

Clear Creek Fire - 100 acres in the Wilderness east of lower Green River Lakes.
Trail & Area Closures are in effect

A new fire started at approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday, September 2nd, in the Clear Creek drainage 1/4 mile southeast of Lower Green River Lakes. This fire is burning in the Bridger Wilderness and is presently at about 100 acres in size. Cause of this fire is still unknown at this time.
   The Green River Lakes campground, trailhead, and lodge are not considered in eminent threat at this time, but this is being monitored daily and evacuation actions may be taken if these areas are identified as at risk.
   A closure area has been put into effect on the north side of Green River Lakes and the Clear Creek drainage area (including Natural Bridge) to protect public safety. (See map).

Closure Area:
Highline Trail (CDT) #094: From Green River Trailhead to the junction of Lakeside Trail #144
Clear Creek Trail #184: Entire trail closed
Slide Lake Trail #147: Entire trail closed

Note that the Lakeside Trail #144 is open and provides an alternate route for the Highline Trail (CDT) around lower Green River Lakes. Hikers can still use the Continental Divide Trail system to bypass the south and west sides of the closure area.
   
Currently there are 10 Type I Hotshot firefighters and 6 local firefighters working the Clear Creek fire. A Type I Crew and Type III helicopter have been ordered and are expected to arrive today. A helibase is located out of Kendall Guard Station. The location of the Fire Camp has not yet been determined.
   
Visitors to the Green River Lakes area can expect to see Forest Service vehicles on the main road as they are working this fire and helicopters flying overhead. The campground host at Green River Lakes can provide updated information about the fire, and there may be personnel stationed at the Highline Trailhead near the bridge on the Green River stopping hikers and providing information about the closure area.
   Management objectives for this fire are:
1. Provide for firefighter and public safety.

2. Hold the fire inside the Bridger Wilderness.

Iron Creek Fire - 100 acres, Big Sandy area,
No closures or flight restrictions
The Iron Creek fire continues to burn within the Bridger Wilderness and has expanded to about 100 acres. The fire is located 2.5 miles north of Big Sandy Campground. The majority of the fire is burning in sub-alpine forest. The fire area, with Iron Creek Fire. Photo by Bridger-Teton National Forest.stunning scenic vistas of the Wind River Range, consists of forest, alpine meadows, and granite outcroppings. The area is still open to wilderness recreation visitors.
  
Fire Use Manager Dan O'Brien is managing this lighting-caused fire as a Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefit. This fire is being managed to accomplish objectives outlined in the Bridger Wilderness Management Plan and the Bridger Wilderness Fire Plan. The fire objective is to prevent the blaze from spreading outside of the wilderness boundaries where it might endanger the Big Sandy Campground, Big Sandy Lodge and Summer Homes in the area. The fire is continuing to advance to the north and east, as desired.

Earlier Updates:
Friday, August 31 update
Wednesday, August 29 update

Wednesday, August 22 update
Tuesday, August 21, noon update
Monday, August 20 7pm update
Monday, August 20 10am update
Sunday, August 19 update
Wednesday, August 8 update
Wednesday, August 1 update
Sunday, July 29 update
Friday, July 27 update
Wednesday, July 25 update
Tuesday, July 24 update
Monday, July 16 update
Monday, July 9 update
Sunday, July 8 update

Saturday, July 7 update

Friday July 6, 2001 9 pm update
Friday, July 6, 2001 8 am update
Thursday, July 5, 2001

Closure Map for
Clear Creek Fire

Closure area for Clear Creek Fire


Iron Creek Fire:

3-D Fire location map
Click for larger map

3-D aerial photo map of Iron Creek Fire area in Fish Creek Park. (9/3/01)

3-D boader area topo map
click for larger map

3-D topo showing broader view of Big Sandy area, wilderness boundary, and Iron Creek fire location. (8/31/01)

Maps by Pinedale Online!

Campfires are NOT allowed in dispersed camping areas such as the one shown in the picture below.

Dispersed campsite with a fire ring

 

 

    Resources currently on this fire are three fire crews and three helicopters. The fire crews are Bridger-Teton National Forest photo.working primarily to prevent flames from moving south and west and from moving out of the wilderness boundary. Helicopters are taking water from Divide Lake just east of the Fremont Trail for bucket drops on the fire. The main helibase is in Irish Canyon, outside the wilderness area southeast of Boulder. Several helicopter landing spots have been set up near the fire.
   Unlike suppression activities on most forest fires, this fire is being managed to help remove the buildup of dead, rotting trees on the ground and create a mosaic of vegetation that will ultimately benefit wildlife and reduce future large fires that often sweep through uniform aged forest. The forest in this area has a large build up of downed trees, Bridger-Teton National Forest photosnags and ladder fuels that are high risk for fire.
   Fire managers are making every effort to have minimum impact on the ground during the course of managing this fire. Although helicopters are being used to transport crews and do bucket drops to hold the south and west fire boundaries, crews are trying to do so with wilderness ethics in mind. Ground crews are practicing minimal impact camping. Horses are packing in food supplies daily and packing out refuse. (While crews are doing a great job of keeping a clean camp so bears aren't attracted to their presence, apparently they didn't strategize for 8-year olds going through a stack of firefighter lunches to locate cookies being unspoken for.) Any cut trees are being modified so as not to show the scar of the management activities. Very little fire line is being cut so as to avoid scarring the land. The hope is to have almost no evidence of their presence except for the natural fire scars.
   So far, the public and visitors in the area have been great and showing a very positive attitude towards the management efforts. Pack horse groups, hikers and campers have been using the trail that runs through the fire area to access Fish Creek Park and it has proven to be a great opportunity for Forest Service officials to talk about the beneficial effects of natural fires in desired areas.
   Visitors are being advised not to use the Fish Creek Park, Divide Lake and Fish Lake area if possible. (The Divide Lake mentioned is the one two
miles north of Big Sandy Campground, not in Scab Creek.) Although Fremont Trail #093 has not been closed to traffic, visitors are cautioned that doesn't mean there aren't risks since they are traveling through a fire area and are in the wilderness, which has its own inherent risks and challenges. There may be some delays on the trail during the day depending on the fire activity.
   Management objectives for this fire are:
1. Provide for firefighter, visitor and aviation safety, including firefighter health and wellness.
2. Allow the fire to move north and east further into the Bridger Wilderness.
3. Keep the fire from moving west and southwest outside of the Bridger Wilderness (the approved fire plan boundary).
4. Manage the fire using minimum impact suppression tactics, with minimum disruption to wilderness visitors, wilderness and aquatic/riparian resources.

   If you plan to travel through the Big Sandy Fish Creek Park area and would like more information, you can contact Wyn Meneff, Fire Information Office at the Pinedale Ranger District, at 307-367-5720.

Other Fires
Roosevelt Fire - Roosevelt Meadows, Greys River District, Contained
This fire was declared contained as of 8 pm August 30th. Started Sunday, August 26th. Located one mile west of Roosevelt Meadows and four miles, northeast of Deadman Mountain in Greys River District.

Boulder Fire - 100% Contained, near Boulder Lake
Fire crews are making regular patrols of the Boulder Fire to make sure it isn't flaring up.

The Green Knoll Fire near Wilson is 100% Contained and Controlled, but is still putting up some smoke as it burns vegetation within the fire perimeter. Crews are closely monitoring this fire which probably won't be completely out until the snow flies. Another spot fire started approximately 400 yards west of the Green Knoll fire and was at 2 acres late yesterday. Nine firefighters and one helicopter are working to suppress this small fire.

The Bear Cub Fire located on August 26th in the Teton Wilderness, is estimated at thirty acres and is located six miles north of Brooks Lake and one and one half miles east of Cub Creek and Cave Creek Trail intersection. This fire has been successful in meeting resource management objectives in the area and some personnel committed to this fire have been re-assigned to other fires in the area.

The Falcon Fire is still showing slow growth and was recently mapped at less than 2800 acres. The fire has moved west of Falcon Creek but will eventually run into previously burned areas from 1988. This fire is being managed in cooperation with Yellowstone National Park. Six firefighters are staffed at the Hawk's Rest and Thorofare Cabin Patrol Cabins for structural
protection.

See the Teton Fires web site for the latest press releases, www.tetonfires.com



FIRE DANGER IS EXTREME.
Please report any new smoke columns you see.
Many thanks to everyone who has been so diligent about reporting smokes!

Press Releases:
Click here for the latest: http://www.tetonfires.com/media/index.htm
July 25, 2001 (BTNF/GTNP) Evacuation Ordered for Two Fire Area Subdivisions. Green Knoll Fire Receives Top Priority for Suppression.

July 24, 2001 (BTNF) Green Knoll Fire Experiences Limited Growth
July 24, 2001 (BTNF/GTNP) Green Knoll Fire Area Estimates Reevaluated
July 22, 2001 (BTNF) Green Knoll Fire Update
July 22, 2001 (BTNF) Mosquito Creek Fire Update

July 14, 2001 (BTNF) Lightning Show Sparks More Fires on the BTNF
July 13, 2001 (BTNF) New Fires Ignite as Incident Management Teams Depart BTNF
July 9, 2001 (BTNF) Greys River Complex Fire Fact Sheet
July 8, 2001 (BTNF) Fire Crews Released as Teams get a grip on Complex Fires
July 8, 2001 (BTNF) Greys River Complex Fire Fact Sheet
July 7, 2001 (BTNF) Positive Outlook on BTNF Fisherman Complex Fires
July 7, 2001 (BTNF) Greys River Complex Fire Fact Sheet
July 7, 2001 8:00 am (BTNF) National Teams Arrive on BTNF Fires
July 6, 2001 8:00 am (BTNF) National Teams Called in to Manage BTNF Forest Fires
July 5, 2001 3:00 pm (BTNF) Thirteen Fires Burning on Bridger-Teton National Forest
July 5, 2001 8:00 am (BTNF) Eleven Fires Burning on Bridger-Teton National Forest

 

 



Anyone with concerns about fires can contact the Sublette County Sheriff's office at 307-367-4376, or the Pinedale Ranger District, 307-367-4326. Hikers in the wilderness who may have cell phones and can get a signal out can call 911 and ask to be routed to the Sublette County Sheriff's office if they have concerns.
 


Last Year's Fires: 2000 Fire pages
Pinedale Online front page

Pinedale Online fire update. Local fire status information provided by the Pinedale Ranger District and the Jackson office of the US Forest Service, Bridger-Teton National Forest.  Copyright 2001.