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Forest Service
Fire Info Hotline:

1-866-651-4234 or
307-739-5577

8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
7 days a week during fire season

Continuing News:
Wild Fires
Current information on wild fires near Pinedale, Wyoming, the western Wind River Mountains, the Wyoming Range, and the southern portion of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Partial Camp Fire Restrictions
are in effect

BTNF Fire Restrictions

Fire Danger is Moderate
Fire Page sponsored by:
Triple Peak Lodge
Home | NIFC Current Wildfire Map | Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info | Teton Fires

Wild Fire Updates
Wednesday, July 24, 2002 -
11:00 pm

Latest News: Mule fire 73% contained, may be completely contained by end of the week if weather cooperates.
Firefighters are working to finish their perimiter, mopping up hot spots, and beginning rehab on access roads. Two crews were leaving today and one new crew coming in. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire acreage is now 3,650 acres. The area closure for Horse Creek, North & South Beaver, Dry Beaver and Lead Creek remains in effect. Click here for the latest Mule Fire photos taken by the North Carolina Command Team. No other fires are currently burning on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
(National Fire Situation Report)

Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates

  • The area closure remains in effect for the Horse Creek/Beaver Creek drainage areas in the path of the fire. The road is closed to traffic, except locals and fire fighters, at the Merna Junction and manned by Sublette County Sheriff's officers. The public is asked to refrain from going to this area unless necessary. Be aware of increased traffic on the roads due to fire fighting activity. Also, there is increased air traffic all through this area with helicopters and fixed wing planes due to the area fire activity.

  • Forest Service officials remind people that fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds. Also, campers are reminded not to leave campfires unattended and to make sure their fire is completely out before leaving the area.

Local Fires at a Glance

Mule Fire:
Horse Creek, Big Piney Ranger District
Size: 3,650 acres
Status: 73% Contained
Cause: Lightning

Geomac Fire Map web site

Teton Fires web site

Retardant drop on Mule Fire
Click for larger view

Click here for new Mule Fire pictures. Scroll down to our archive pages for earlier photos.

More Current Fire Information:
The damper weather this past week has allowed firefighters to continue to make good progress getting a containment perimeter around the Mule Fire and containment is now estimated at 73%. Fire crews still have approximately 5 miles of line to construct. While officials want to remain cautious, optimistic estimates are that the fire might be completely contained by Thursday afternoon if the weather cooperates. There are now a total of 555 people working on this fire.
   Two crews shipped out today and one new one came in for replacement. Resources working the Mule Fire consist of 17 hand crews (20 persons per crew), 3 helicopters, 15 wildland fire engines, 6 water tenders, and 2 dozers. Crews are continuing to use direct attack line construction and to mop up hot spots along Spring Creek Road where the infrared flight showed numerous spots. Over 200 firefighters were concentrating on that area Wednesday installing hose lays and mopping up 200 foot inside the fire perimeter. Four Sublette County engines helped with water delivery. The four crews that have been staying in spike camps near the fire will be there again one more night.
   The Mule Fire posses no immediate threat to private structures adjacent the forest. An area closure remains in effect for the North and South Beaver, Dry Beaver, Lead and Horse Creek drainages and all associated routes. Sublette County Sheriff's officers are manning this road block and allowing only fire fighting personnel and local residents through the block. This special closure was implemented to preserve firefighter and public safety and will be reviewed daily for applicability.

Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates

   Fire restrictions are in effect on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Sublette County. No campfires except in developed campgrounds.

Fire Restrictions
BTNF Fire Restrictions

Fire Page Sponsor

Please visit our sponsor's web site. They help make this fire update page possible.

Triple Peak Lodge
Located on South Cottonwood Creek near the Wyoming Range
triplepeak.com

The family that owns and operates Triple Peak Lodge and Triple Peak Outfitters also helps with Pinedale Online and this fire update page, making it possible to bring this frequently updated information each fire season to our readers.


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Smoke Jumpers dropping on Mule fire


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Current Mule fire camp BLM land on Ryegrass/Cottonwood road


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Ops Chiefs


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Mule smoke seen from Sherman Guard station


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P-3 making retardant drop


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Sherman fire camp


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Helicopter lifting off


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Mule fire from above


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Smoke Jumpers landing

Our thanks to the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources for letting us use their pictures from their crew on our fire in Wyoming.

Mule Fire Pictures I
Mule Fire Pictures II
North Carolina Team Heads West

CURRENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Bridger-Teton National Forest:
Partial fire restrictions are in effect on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Back country users are reminded that campfires are not allowed above timberline in the wilderness at any time. Fireworks are prohibited at all times. Restrictions

Sublette County
County-wide fire restrictions are in effect. Lighting fireworks is prohibited within Sublette County.

BLM:
Fire restrictions began July 4th. No open fires except within developed recreation sites. Regulations regarding smoking, operating a chain saw, and welder are in effect. No fireworks.

State:
Restrictions went into effect on State lands on June 11th.
No open fires, barbecue grills or fireworks on any lands or facilities administered by the Game and Fish Department.

Links to earlier Fire Info:

July 22, 2002
July 21, 2002 (Mule fire pictures)
July 19, 2002 (Mule fire pictures)
July 18, 2002
July 17, 2002
July 16, 2002
July 15, 2002
July 14, 2002
July 13, 2002
July 6, 2002
July 5, 2002
July 4, 2002
July 3, 2002
July 2, 2002
July 1, 2002
June 30, 2002
June 29, 2002
2001 Fire Updates
2000 Fire Updates

For More Info on the Web

Teton Fires
Bridger-Teton National Forest

National Interagency Fire Center NIFC
NIFC Wildland Fire Map

Where to get more information:
Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info
Mary Lendman or Jason Anderson
307-739-5542 or 307-739-5564

Pinedale Ranger District, BTNF
307-367-4326

Big Piney Ranger District, BTNF
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.



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 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 need to report a fire or have concerns. Be aware that 911 may route you to a different area other than Pinedale depending on where you are calling from.


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This Pinedale Online fire update is written by Dawn Svalberg from information obtained from the Pinedale Ranger District, the Jackson office of the US Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest, and online sources. Pinedale Online is solely responsible for the content of these reports. Copyright 2002.

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