Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  7 miles SW of Togwotee Pass

Start Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 11,507 acres

Percent complete:  39%

Resources: 509 Total Personnel: 9 Hand Crews; 21 Engines; 1 Dozer; 12 Heavy Equipment; 5 Helicopters 

KEY MESSAGES:

“Firing operations” is terminology used to describe the use of fire to burn wildland fuels between a control line and the fire’s flaming front. When successful, the main fire will slow or stop advancing since the fire’s fuel has been removed. This also reduces the opportunity for the fire to build momentum and energy to push in a specific direction. If conditions allow, firing operations will be used to clean up some pockets of unburned fuels on the east and northeast side of the fire over the next few days.

Completion has increased to 39 percent on the fire. Percent complete refers to the degree to which the confine/point protection strategic actions have been accomplished. Confine is a wildfire response strategy of restricting a wildfire to a defined area, primarily using natural barriers that are expected to restrict the spread of the wildfire under the prevailing and forecasted weather. Point protection tactics include the installation of pumps, sprinkler systems, vegetative fuels reduction, and other actions to protect values-at-risk. 

CURRENT STATUS:

Yesterday, conditions were not favorable for firing operations so crews remained patient and will wait for better conditions which could occur today. Crews and equipment continued to work on the Deception Road shaded fuels break south of the Brooks Lake Lodge. The indirect hand lines along the Holmes Cave Trail and a segment of the Continental Divide Trail were completed including setting up pumps and hose lines. Crews and equipment continued to construct an indirect line along the Flagstaff Road using a combination of vegetation reduction and improvements along natural features. The indirect control line located from Highway 26 south to Pilot Knob and the Moccasin Basin Trailhead is ready in anticipation of future firing operations. Structure protection crews reviewed plans and tested equipment in the Brooks, Pinnacle and Breccia areas.

Indirect control line construction and preparation work will continue today on the Deception and Flagstaff Roads as part of the confine/point protection strategy being used to protect the identified values at risk. Under favorable fire weather conditions, firing operations may be used to clean up unburned islands to prevent fire from spotting across the 2007 Hardscrabble fire scar. Structure protection crews will start assessments and develop plans for values at risk in additional areas along the Highway 26 corridor.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Another warm and dry day with temperatures reaching the low 70s and relative humidity dropping below 20 percent. Wind will generally be terrain driven through the afternoon. Then, expect a wind shift and increase to out of the east around 1900. Gusts of 15 to 20 mph will be possible through the overnight hours, especially along more exposed ridges. Sunday remains warm and dry with wind returning to out of the southwest.

Isolated areas of fire activity in timber with heavy fuels is anticipated today. Fuels conditions and weather exist for fire behavior with low to moderate rates of spread, torching and downwind spotting up to three tenths of a mile. The fire will likely have a hard time getting wind, slope and continuous fuels to align for any significant growth. Expect fire behavior to increase after the inversion lifts, around 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and peaking around 6:00 p.m. then moderating after dark. 

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE:

Air quality, smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.

CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS:

A joint Closure Order for the fire area has been issued by the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests for public and firefighter safety. Please do not enter the closure area or use the Forest Roads that are closed.

The Fish Creek Area, Roads, and Trails Closure Order (map) has been established for public and firefighter safety in the fire area. Full details can also be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/btnf/alerts-notices.

Fremont County: Brooks Lake, Pinnacle Drive and Breccia Drive area remain in the Level 2 Evacuation notice. A Level 2 Evacuation means “Be Set” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. See the alert notice on the Fremont County Fire Protection District Facebook page. 

Teton County: The Teton County Division of Emergency Management utilizes a Ready, Set, Go www.tetoncountywy.gov/1846/Ready-Set-GO system for evacuation messaging. All residents should be in the Ready status by preparing for evacuations and becoming fire adapted.

US HWY 26/287 continues to experience smoke and sometimes limited visibility. Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is working closely with Fremont County Emergency Management and fire officials for the safety of motorists and firefighters. Drivers are encouraged to visit https://www.wyoroad.info/ prior to traveling on US HWY 26/287 for road status and information, or download the Wyoming 511 app at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/WY511Mobile.html to monitor for any changes due to fire activity.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been established over the fire area. This allows for firefighting aircraft to safely work over the fire area. Federal, state, and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over the Fish Creek Fire. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, WE CAN’T!