Pack Creek Fire June 12 AM Update

Pack Creek Fire Update

Saturday, June 13, 2021 (morning update)

Contact Fire Information:  (435) 287-4126

Or Nick_Howell@Firenet.gov 

Visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or on Twitter @UtahWildfire

Start Date

Cause

Size

(In Acres)

Percent Containment

Helicopters

Engines

Crews

Dozers

Total Personnel

June 9, 2021

Abandoned campfire

5,424

6%

5

18

5

0

257

Summary: Fire behavior in the La Sal Mountains above Pack Creek was moderate, but for the time of year, the fire was surprisingly active as it moved through live, but dry pinyon/juniper fuels. Firefighters have made good containment progress along the lower perimeter of the fire in residential areas. As a result, evacuations that were in place in the community have been relaxed. Residents in the lower Pack Creek Ranches area have been allowed back in their homes; however, the remaining homes past the U.S. Forest Service boundary remain evacuated.

The excessive heat warning forecast for noon Monday to midnight Friday increases risk of rapid fire spread.

The steep, rocky terrain where the fire is burning presents special challenges to crews working for containment. Fire crews reached 6 percent containment on Saturday, and that number is expected to rise with the anticipated arrival of more than 100 personnel over the next two days. 

Evacuations and road closures: The evacuation order for homes in the lower section of Pack Creek was lifted 6 a.m. Sunday, allowing residents of this foothills community to return to their homes for the first time since Wednesday. Homes in the upper section (above the U.S. Forest Service boundary) remain under evacuation restrictions until the hazards in that area are reduced. 

The area, road and trail closure on the National Forest lands surrounding the fire area remains in place.

Closure boundaries and a complete list of affected roads and trails are posted at https://utahfireinfo.gov/news. 

Start Date

Cause

Size

(In Acres)

Percent Containment

Helicopters

Engines

Crews

Dozers

Total Personnel

June 9, 2021

Abandoned campfire

5,164

6%

5

12

6

0

205

Summary: An area closure took effect Saturday afternoon to prohibit public access to the west side of the La Sal Mountains about 10 miles southeast of Moab, Utah. The closure was ordered by Manti-La Sal National Forest officials to prevent potential injury to outdoor recreationists, property owners, and fire crews during suppression operations on the Pack Creek Fire. (Closure boundaries and a complete list of affected roads and trails are posted at https://utahfireinfo.gov/news). The Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team relieved local firefighters Saturday morning and achieved 6 percent containment on the fire; more resources are expected to arrive in the next few days. Besides securing structures in Pack Creek, firefighters continued structure protection work on properties at higher elevations of La Sal Loop Road. Portions of the fire are inaccessible due to steep terrain. 

Rocky Mountain Power restored electrical service to Pack Creek customers by Saturday afternoon after replacing a pole, three transformers and other equipment. Power distribution infrastructure remains threatened.

Evacuations and road closures: Barring unexpected events, the evacuation order for homes in the lower section of Pack Creek is expected to be lifted tomorrow at 6 a.m. for residents only. However, the homes in the upper section (above the US Forest Service boundary) remain under evacuation until the hazards in that area are  reduced. 

Jurisdiction: U.S. Forest Service (Manti-La Sal National Forest), U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and State of Utah.

For more information on wildfire information, visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or on Twitter @UtahWildfire.

 Fire Facts  

Location 

20 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming 

Fire size today: 1,038 

Containment: 64% 

Fire start date: June 8, 2021 

Cause: Lightning 

Resources: 283 Personnel  

No evacuations, road closures, or area closures are in effect. 

Temporary Flight Restriction  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area. Remember: If You Fly, We Can’t! Drones can be deadly hazards to our pilots and can shut down air operations. For details on the TFR, see https://tfr.faa.gov/  

Donations are no longer needed. 

Our firefighters are well supplied with everything they need, so community donations are not needed. Please consider directing your generosity to support your local fire department or other emergency responders. 

Management 

Rocky Mountain Area  
Type 2 Blue Team 

Yesterday and today, firefighters’ focus was on patrolling and monitoring for heat along segments of contained fireline in all divisions. They are looking for and extinguishing any sources of heat within one chain (a unit of measure equal to 66 feet) toward the fire’s interior.  

Crews expect to wrap up structure assessments today and will submit a report to Johnson County for future fire suppression planning. 

The northern edge of the fire perimeter is holding along the edge of a cliff band and the bottom of Robinson Canyon. These are natural features that impede the fire’s advance, and areas that are unsafe for firefighters to be on the ground. As a result, it has been determined that the 64% of the fire perimeter that has been contained is the full extent of achievable containment. 

The fire is exhibiting minimal fire behavior - creeping and smoldering in most areas, with occasional torching of single-trees or groups of trees well inside the fire’s interior. This is expected to continue for the foreseeable future as the fire continues to consume unburned fuels. Smoke may be visible in the area, at least occasionally, as long as residual heat and available fuels remain.  

With reduced fire activity and diminished threat to local communities, several fire crews have been demobilized. The two Type 1 helicopters have also been released from the Robinson Fire, as their support is more urgently needed on other fires. Aerial resources that remain committed to the Robinson Fire include the Type 3 helicopter, the National Guard medivac hoist ship, and the fixed-wing Air Attack. These aircraft are also available to assist with initial attack or to support other fires in the area. 

Weather  

Today’s weather is expected to be similar to yesterday, with temperatures near 80 degrees on the fireline. Winds will be turbulent, easterly at low elevations and westerly on the ridgetops. 

BLM Fire Stage 1 Restrictions now in Effect 

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on public lands within the Bureau of Land Management, Buffalo Field Office. For more information, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire. 

Fire Facts  

Location 

20 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming 

Fire size today: 1,038 

Containment: 64% 

Fire start date: June 8, 2021 

Cause: Lightning 

Resources: 350 Personnel  

No evacuations, road closures, or area closures are in effect. 

Temporary Flight Restriction  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area. Remember: If You Fly, We Can’t! Drones can be deadly hazards to our pilots and can shut down air operations. For details on the TFR, see https://tfr.faa.gov/  

Donations are no longer needed. 

Our firefighters are well supplied with everything they need, so community donations are not needed. Please consider directing your generosity to support your local fire department or other emergency responders. 

Management 

Rocky Mountain Area  
Type 2 Blue Team 

Yesterday, firefighters continued to mop up and patrol in both Y and A divisions.  In Division Z, crews mopped up along the handline gaining containment all the way from the Y/Z break around the south end of the fire to the rock outcrop.   

With the successful burn operations that have taken place, containment has increased to 64%.  

Structure assessments continue within an approximate six-mile radius of the fire.  From the structure assessments fire managers will develop a structure defense plan that will be passed on to the County to support their future fire suppression planning. 

Today, firefighters will continue monitoring and patrolling the fire perimeter watching for changes in fire activity or heat sources near the fire’s edge. Yesterday’s red flag weather tested containment lines throughout the fire area. With cooler weather forecasted, reduced fire behavior is expected of the next several days. 

Weather  

Yesterday brought a hot day with temperatures close to 100 degrees.  Today will start off with a dry cold front moving in to help increase relative humidities by 10% and bringing in lower temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees.. The winds will be coming out of the north and shifting out of the east later in the day.  Gust will be up to 25 mils-per-hour.   

BLM Fire Stage 1 Restrictions now in Effect 

Yesterday, the BLM Buffalo Field Office issued Stage 1 fire restrictions. For specific information, please go to: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire  

Fire Facts  

Location 

20 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming 

Fire size today: 1,038 

Containment: 29% 

Fire start date: June 8, 2021 

Cause: Lightning 

Resources: 348 Personnel  

No evacuations, road closures, or area closures are in effect. 

Temporary Flight Restriction  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area. Remember: If You Fly, We Can’t! Drones can be deadly hazards to our pilots and can shut down air operations. For details on the TFR, see https://tfr.faa.gov/  

Donations are no longer needed. 

Our firefighters are well supplied with everything they need, so community donations are not needed. Please consider directing your generosity to support your local fire department or other emergency responders. 

Management 

Rocky Mountain Area  
Type 2 Blue Team 

Yesterday evening, firefighters continued strategic burning operations, using aerial ignition to burn pockets of remaining fuel on the northwestern perimeter of the fire in Division Z.   

A multi-mission aircraft (MMA) flew the fire.  The fire now stands at 1038 aces; burn operations account for the increase in size.  Containment has increased to 29%.  

 In Divisions Y and A, firefighters are patrolling for hot spots and mopping up. Structure assessments are being conducted in Dull Knife and are complete in the Billy Creek, Poison Creek, and Bull Creek areas. No structures have been damaged.  

Today, firefighters are working to increase containment across the fire. They are continuing to patrol and extinguish hot spots.  The structure group is continuing property assessments in Dull Knife. 

Weather  

A Red Flag warning is in place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. due to minimum relative humidity near 11%, much higher temperatures near 90, and sustained 20 mile-per-hour (mph) winds from the west/southwest with gusting up to 30 mph.  

Where to Find Fire Information  

Public Information Officers have contacted and supplied local businesses including the Library, Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Center, Senior Center, YMCA, Indian Campground, Lynn’s Superfoods and Maverik’s gas station with fire information to share with their customers. 

BLM Fire Stage 1 Restrictions now in Effect 

Yesterday, the BLM Buffalo Field Office issued Stage 1 fire restrictions. For specific information, please go to: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire  

 With the help from the A-Star Helicopter and it's PSD equipment (see below for more info on PSD operations), firefighters were able to continue the burning operation on the northwest portion of the fire today. Securing this division of the fire increased the acres to 1,034. Elsewhere on the fire crews were able to increased containment to 29% by extinguishing hot spots near the perimeter of the fire ensuring the fire will not move beyond these containment lines. There is still work to be done and smoke will continue to be visible from the #RobinsonFire2021.#hardworkingfirefighters

News Release
High Plains District, Wyoming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2021

Contact: Brad Purdy, bpurdy@blm.gov, (307) 775-6328

Buffalo Field Office enters Stage 1 fire restrictions

BUFFALO, Wyo. - Due to dry conditions and high fire danger the BLM Wyoming High Plains District has implemented fire restrictions for all BLM administered lands within Johnson and Campbell Counties beginning June 15th, 2021.

Under Stage 1 fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
• Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, which include:

• Discharging or using any fireworks.
• Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
• Burning, igniting, or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium or any other hazardous or explosive material.
• Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).
• Use/discharge of explosives of any kind, incendiary devices, pyrotechnic devices, or exploding targets.

The Following persons are exempt from fire restrictions:

• Persons with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission
• Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty

It is important we all do our part to prevent unnecessary risks of wildfire starts. Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs for suppressing the fire.

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, visit www.blm.gov/Wyoming-Fire-Restrictions.

-BLM-

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Fire Facts  

Location 

20 miles south of Buffalo, Wyoming 

Fire size today: 697 acres 

Containment: 18% 

Fire start date: June 8, 2021 

Cause: Lightning 

Resources: 291 personnel  

No evacuations, road closures, or area closures are in effect. 

Temporary Flight Restriction  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the fire area. Remember: If You Fly, We Can’t! Drones can be deadly hazards to our pilots and can shut down air operations. For details on the TFR, see https://tfr.faa.gov/  

Donations are no longer needed. 

Our firefighters are well supplied with everything they need, so community donations are not needed. Please consider directing your generosity to support your local fire department or other emergency responders. 

Management 

Rocky Mountain Area  
Type 2 Blue Team 

On Sunday evening, firefighters initiated a strategic burn operation along the northwest perimeter of the fire. The objective of this burn is to remove heavy fuels in an area of steep, inaccessible terrain, reducing risk of fire escape in that area. If conditions are conducive, firefighters will continue with the burnout operation on Monday. 

The number of acres reported was reduced due to aerial mapping. The percent containment was reduced from 25% to 18% due to incident movement, operational containment methods, and limited ground-truthing due to inaccessible terrain. 

Helicopters will work the north and northeast sides of the fire again on Monday, dropping buckets of water over sources of heat inside Robinson Canyon, the most difficult terrain in the fire area.  

Local fire resources and interagency cooperators continue to support the Robinson Fire. Firefighters on the ground are making progress improving fire lines, as they scout for additional control opportunities in the very rough and rocky terrain. Crews hope to wrap up structure assessments in the areas of Billy Creek, Poison Creek, and Bull Creek, to plan how to protect those structures in case the fire expands in that direction. Approximately 80% of those structures have been assessed so far. No structures have been damaged.  

Fire Conditions and Weather 

Monday’s weather will be very hot and dry, with near-record high temperatures. Winds will be south, increasing in the afternoon and shifting out of the southwest, gusting to 25 mph.  

Fire managers anticipate more active fire behavior today, especially under increasing winds in the afternoon. The fire is steadily consuming dead trees and logs and cleaning out the forest understory. Residents and forest visitors should expect to see smoke for an extended period. 

Public Information Boards 

Public information officers have established information boards at multiple locations around the fire area, including Hazelton parking lot off of Highway 16 at Road 3; the intersection of Greub Road and Highway 196; and at the BLM and Forest Service offices in Buffalo.