Battle Mountain fire update: August 25
950 acres, 20% contained; Moose-Gypsum Road is CLOSED.
August 25, 2006
The Battle Mountain Fire was ignited on August 23, 2006, after a lightning storm passed over the northern Wind River Range. Fuels are mainly lodgepole, aspen and sage. The fire is burning in an area that is being considered for timber harvest and prescribed burning.
"We’ve been really lucky with the winds coming from the southwest and pushing the fire away from Red Cliff Bible Camp and the private homes," said Nan Stinson, Fire Information Officer with the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Green River Lakes & Campground possible closure: "Trigger Points" have been put into place for the Battle Mountain Fire. Green River Lakes and campground are located approximately five miles to the northeast of the fire, which is the direction the wind is moving. If the fire reaches the Trigger Points, the Forest Service will close the Green River Lakes road and campground for public and firefighter safety. There are a lot of beetle-killed trees in the area which have the potential of adding to the fuels of this fire if it gets into the Green River Lakes area. Campers and hikers should keep close tabs on the fire updates to keep informed on daily progress. The Green River Lakes Campground host has current information on the fire status.
Location: North side Forest Service Road 680/ Moose Gypsum Road 30 miles north of Pinedale Wyoming and 5 miles southwest of Green River Lakes. The fire is approximately 2 miles from Red Cliff Bible Camp. "The fire is gong away from the Bible Camp," said Stinson.
Nearby Fires: The Jim Creek Wild Land Fire for Resource benefit is burning one drainage to the south in the Jim Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles north of New Fork Lakes. The Purdy fire is burning west of Union Pass, approximately 12 miles to the northwest of this fire. Both of these fires also have road and trail closure areas associated with them.
Status: 950 acres. The fire is 20% contained.
Resources: There are 60 fire personnel assigned to the fire. "Four more engines are on the way," said Stinson.
Objective: Provide for public and firefighter safety. Suppress the fires growth within the ability of the limited resources and to protect the private structures and property within the area.
Recent Events: The fire was very active on Thursday evening with a wind driven fire front. Activity on Thursday has been mainly groups of trees torching, short fire runs and short range spotting.
This Week’s Strategy: Sublette County and Teton Interagency fire fighters are working together to limit the fires growth. Fire resources are limited at this time due to heavy fire activity in the western states.
Today’s Strategy: Firefighters will continue to flank the fires edge with hose lays and direct dozer fire line. Teton Interagency helicopter will use water drops to suppress spot fires and to cool down the head of the fire. Four additional engines should be arriving on the fire today.
Forecast: An upper level low pressure trough will move over the area, creating scattered showers and thunderstorms on Friday.
Closures: Forest Service road 680 is closed to the general public for firefighter and public safety. Forest visitors are reminded to use caution while in the Upper Green River area because of fire activity and heavy fire traffic. The Green River Lakes Campground, Trailhead, and dispersed camping areas could be closed at anytime depending on fire activity.
Who to call to get more information: Bridger-Teton National Forest, 307-367-5713.
More Battle Mountain fire information on the web: www.inciweb.org/incident/maps/448/
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