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:  37%

Resources: 495 Total Personnel: 9 Hand Crews; 17 Engines; 1 Dozer; 8 Heavy Equipment; 5 Helicopters 

KEY MESSAGES:

Completion has increased to 37 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. 

If conditions allow, aerial firing operations will be used to clean up some pockets of unburned fuels on the east and northeast side of the fire. This will be done to reduce the available fuel near the edge of the fire and reduce the opportunity for the fire to build momentum and energy and spread to the northeast towards the values of risk. An increase in smoke visible from the fire area will occur during firing operations.

CURRENT STATUS:

Indirect control line construction and preparation work continued yesterday in several areas as part of the confine/point protection strategy to protect the identified values at risk. On the north side firefighters continued to install hose lays on the Holmes Cave Trail and a segment of the Continental Divide Trail to prepare them as indirect lines. Steady progress was made using equipment to reduce vegetation along the Flagstaff Road preparing it as a confinement feature. Crews spent time getting familiar with the indirect control line located from Highway 26 south to Pilot Knob and the Moccasin Basin Trailhead in anticipation of future firing operations. South of Brooks Lake Lodge equipment and crews continued constructing a shaded fuels break along the Deception Road, clearing out ground vegetation and thinning trees for use as an alternate control line. Structure protection crews strengthened the equipment set up in the Brooks, Pinnacle and Breccia areas. Crews finished preemptively cutting down hazardous trees along Hwy 26 in collaboration with WYDOT personnel and equipment.

Firefighting resources will continue to improve the Holmes Cave Trail, Deception Road, and Flagstaff Road today for use as either a control line or to provide point protection. Under favorable fire weather conditions, aerial firing operations may be used to prevent fire from spotting across the 2007 Hardscrabble fire scar. Structure protection crews will continue to conduct assessments and develop plans for values at risk along the Highway 26 corridor.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

The warming and drying trend will continue today as high temperatures peak a little warmer from 64 to 69 degrees and humidity dropping below 20 percent. Winds will be similar to yesterday with a west-northwest direction at 5 to 10 mph and gusts 15 to 20 mph. Similarly warm and dry conditions are expected through Sunday.

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 peak around 6:00 p.m. and moderating after dark.

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE:

Air quality and 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!