New fire near Moose-Gypsum
Developing Story: Public asked to stay away
by Pinedale Online
August 23, 2006
(Update 9:30 PM, Wednesday, August 23) Developing Story:
There is a new wildfire reported this evening in the Moose-Gypsum area of the Upper Green River Valley.
The fire is located on the Bridger-Teton National Forest approximately two miles from the Red Cliff Bible Camp, according to Bob Hanson, Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Coordinator.
At the 9:30 pm update, Hanson said the local fire crews are pulling off for the night and the Forest Service crews will remain on the fire. Tomorrow a 30-35 man hand crew will come in on the fire, along with a couple Road & Bridge dozers. The fire is two miles from Red Cliff Bible Camp. It is moving away from the bible camp and the residences in the Moose-Gypsum area, so they are looking ok for tonight.
Preliminary information:
- Cause: The fire was started by lightning.
- Size: Estimated to be between 70-80 acres.
- Fire Name: We've heard Battle Mountain and Battleship Mountain, so we're not sure which is right.
- Location: T38N, R109, Section 5. This appears to put it about 5 miles up the Moose-Gypsum road, and 2 miles northeast of Red Cliff Bible Camp (unofficial info at this time).
- The Red Cliff Bible Camp is nearby, as well as numerous private homes. No damage to structures has been reported at this time. As of 9:30 pm Wednesday, the fire was moving to the east, away from the camp and private residences.
- No word about closures at this time.
- Note that this fire is one drainage to the north of the Jim Creek fire, which is being allowed to burn for resource benefit in the Bridger Wilderness.
- People recreating in the Upper Green and around Green River Lakes area will see smoke from the 15,000 acre Purdy fire to the north near Union Pass, minimal smoke from the Jim Creek fire in the Jim Creek drainage just north of New Fork Lakes, and now smoke from this new fire in the Moose-Gypsum area. Green River Lakes and campground are located approximately 5 miles to the northeast of the fire, as the crow flies.
Earlier this evening there were fire crews on the scene from the Bridger-Teton National Forest and county volunteer fire department personnel from Pinedale, Daniel and the newly formed Kendall Fire Department. Two Type I helicopters were brought in to drop water on the fire and retardant drops were brought in from West Yellowstone.
Fire officials have asked us to pass on their request to ask the public to please STAY AWAY and resist coming to see what is happening. They appreciate the public's cooperation in keeping the access roads clear for emergency vehicles working this fire. Please check with local media sources to find out more information, or call the Forest Service contact number below if you have specific concerns.
Locals can tune into KPIN 101.1 FM Pinedale news radio for current updates. We will post updates here on Pinedale Online as they come in.
For more fire information, contact Leslie Williams with the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest at 307-739-5424. Leslie is also the information officer for the Purdy fire burning west of Union Pass.
We can also be reached here at Pinedale Online at support@pinedaleonline.com or 307-360-7689 or 307-276-5699 anytime (including evenings) if anyone has questions about the latest fire information.
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