Fontenelle Fact Sheet – evening update July 2, 2012
52,386 acres, 8% contained, no structures lost to date
by Great Basin IMT Team 5
July 2, 2012
Fontenelle Fact Sheet for Monday, July 2, 2012 at 10:00 p.m.
Due to less fire activity, future updates will only be completely once a day at 9 a.m. unless condition warrant otherwise.
Status: The Fontenelle Fire is burning on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, BLM High Desert District and State/Private Lands approximately 17 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming. The fire began on June 24, 2012. The fire is currently burning in heavy, dead timber with occasional areas of grass and sage in the lower elevations.
Fire Statistics: 52,386 acres burned | 8% contained | 682 Personnel on scene
Recent Events: The fire was very active today but there was minimal growth to the perimeter. Hand crews and dozers are making progress on the part of the fire that jumped Middle Piney Road.
The summer homes located on upper Middle Piney Creek were successfully defended by firefighters and as of 8:00 p.m. Sunday were only minimally affected. Fire began moving down slope at about 2:00 p.m. Fire managers employed a sprinkler system, a fire break cut into the timber and a back burning operation to successfully defend the homes. Crews focused on building fireline to secure the perimeter. Sacajawea Campground was also defended through fuel thinning and tree limbing, the facility was only minimally affected.
There is now a working retardant base located at the airport. This will make refueling and turnaround times much quicker.
The two town meetings held in Big Piney and Pinedale were successful in reaching approximately 200 concerned residents. Representatives from all agencies involved in the fire were present to discuss fire behavior, progression, resources, etc. (Highlights)
Today’s Strategy: Aerial support from helicopters operating from the Big Piney-Marbleton airport and heavy tankers from Pocatello, Idaho were used to help firefighters try to contain the north-northeast fire boundary. Firefighters continued to construct and improve fire line along the south-southwest portion of the fire area.
Fire managers requested that the public avoid using Middle Piney Road to minimize congestion and ensure safety.
Forecast: The fire area will be under a Red Flag warning until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday due to high winds and low relative humidity.
Closures: Road closures at present extend from the forest boundary at the top of Bare Pass at Red Castles, west to N. Piney Meadows and Tri Basin Divide, south to Cheese Pass, Mount Isabel, and Red Park, east to the junction of LaBarge Creek Road and the forest boundary, and north to Bare Pass. The road closure on Middle Piney Road may move east depending on fire conditions. Further closures may be needed to ensure firefighter and public safety. The public is asked to be cautious when driving on the LaBarge Road between Hwy. 189 to the closure at the forest boundary as there may be large fire engines, fire traffic and impact from smoke.
More Information:
www.fs.usda.gov/btnf
www.inciweb.org
www.tetonfires.com
Twitter: @WildeType2_IMT
Fontenelle Fire information phone: 307-276-3324
Related Links:
Fire Restrictions
Expanded Closure Map
Fontenelle Fire photo gallery
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