Fontenelle Fire update – July 8, 2012
63,937 acres, 55% contained, Public meeting in Big Piney July 9th
by Great Basin IMT Team 5
July 8, 2012
Fontenelle Fact Sheet for Sunday, July 8, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.
Status: The Fontenelle Fire began on June 24, 2012 and is burning on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, BLM High Desert District, and state and private lands approximately 18 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming. The fire is burning in heavy, dead timber with occasional areas of grass and sage in the lower elevations.
Fire Statistics: 63,937 acres burned or 100 square miles | 55% contained | 797 personnel on scene
Public Meeting: Local officials and fire managers will be sharing information about the fire and taking questions from the community at the following public meeting:
Big Piney
7 p.m., Monday, July 9
LDS Church, 2266 Piney Road
Recent Events: Fire crews continued to make progress on the north end of the fire with dozer line, water drops and burn outs; efforts will be concentrated in this area to prevent the fire from moving farther north. The south perimeter containment line now extends southeast from Cabin Creek to Bald Hornet Creek, then northeast to Riley Ridge.
Fire perimeter did not increase on Saturday due to cloud cover, high humidity, and low temperatures. The increase in acreage is due to interior burnouts and map revisions. Fire managers emphasize that recent rainfall was not significant enough to change the condition of dry fuels on the ground and that expected warmer weather and drier conditions could allow a resurgence of fire activity.
Fire managers continue to work with permittees and industry representatives on a fire area re-entry plan.
Today’s Strategy: Hotshot crews will concentrate on portions of the fire north of Middle Piney Road on the north perimeter and north of Cabin Creek on the west perimeter. Fire crews will remain on the east perimeter to hold and build line. Mop-up operations will continue as crews extinguish remaining hot spots.
Forecast: Slightly increasing temperatures and lower humidity are predicted in the coming week with the diminishing possibility of thunderstorms and scattered showers.
Closures: Road closures extend south from Bare Pass, 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 north to Bare Pass along the forest boundary. Further closures may be needed to ensure firefighter and public safety. The public is asked to be cautious when driving on the Middle Piney and LaBarge roads between Hwy. 189 to the closure at the forest boundary as there may be fire traffic and limited vision due to 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:
NASA Satellite imagery Fontenelle Fire July 6, 2012
Fire Restrictions
Expanded Closure Map
Fontenelle Fire photo gallery
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