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Forest Service
Fire Info:
307-739-5500
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Monday - Friday

Continuing News:
Wild Fires
Current information on wild fires near Pinedale, Wyoming, the western Wind River Mountains, the Wyoming Range, and the southern portion of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Partial campfire restrictions
are in effect
BTNF Fire Restrictions
Fire Danger is Moderate
Fire Page sponsored by:
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Home | NIFC Current Wildfire Map | Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info | Teton Fires

Wild Fire Updates
Saturday, August 24, 2002 - 5:00 pm update

New Area Fires:
Bridger-Teton National Forest fire crews have been busy over the last couple of days chasing numerous small fires that have popped up from the recent thunderstorms. Crews have been working on fires in the Bondurant area, northern Wyoming Range, up the Green River, and in the mid-Wind River Range area. Fires up Jack Creek east of Bondurant are now out.
Whiskey Fire
   The fire in Halls's Basin on the east side of Soda Lake, south of Boulder Lake, is now approximately 2 acres burning in light timber and grass. Crews from the Forest Service and Sublette County, supported by air drops, are on this fire Saturday afternoon. No closures to roads, trails or trailheads.
Joe Fire
Crews are also working on a smaller fire in the Dutch Joe area along the way to Big Sandy. More equipment was ordered for the fire this afternoon, so it appears crews will be on this fire a bit longer yet. No new info on size or precise location. No closures to roads, trails or trailheads in the Big Sandy area due to this fire at this time.

None of these fires as yet are threatening any structures, and no closures to roads, trails or campgrounds are being considered as yet. Closures ARE still in effect for Scab Creek Trailhead and the area trails due to the Divide Fire burning in the Bridger Wilderness (see below for more info on those closures.)
   A small lightning start up Sweeney Creek was just declared controlled at noon today. Crews are on small fires, all around 1/4 acres, in the Cliff Creek drainage and another in Silver Creek west of Lookout Mountain (northwest of the earlier Mule fire).
   Smokejumper personnel from Yellowstone National Park and from Missoula, Montana, are enroute to assist local personnel with some of our new fire starts. None of these new fires is large and the local crews have been getting the new starts stomped out pretty quickly after they are spotted. With high fire danger still a concern, crews want to get any new fires under control as quickly as possible.
   Forest Service fire personnel remind the public that the fire danger on the forest is still very high and that fire restrictions are still in effect. As hunting season approaches and the weather cools, more people will be outdoors. Please report any new smokes that you see while you are out to the Sublette County Sheriff's office, local Forest Service Ranger District office, or Teton Dispatch. The public has been very helpful reporting smoke columns throughout the summer and fire officials very much appreciate the extra eyes out there keeping a look out.
   Those of you planning late season hiking trips, ALL major trailheads in the Wind River Mountains, with the exception of the Scab Creek trailhead, are OPEN. ALL CAMPGROUNDS ARE OPEN.

Divide Fire Update:
The Divide Fire continues to burn in the Bridger Wilderness being managed as fire for resource benefit and is not being actively suppressed. The fire is approximately 2,200 acres. Trail and area closures remain in effect for the area. Six firefighters remain on the fire to monitor fire behavior. The fire is inbetween Divide Lake and Monroe Lakes and east completely around Knob and Moose Lakes, and between Silver and Lower Sylvan Lakes. See below for related trail and camping closures for the Divide Fire.

  • The Scab Creek Trailhead and Trail remain closed due to the Divide Fire. This closure is being evaluated daily for safety.The Scab Creek Trailhead and Campground are NOT considered at risk at this time, but this situation will be monitored daily and evacuation actions taken if these areas are identified at risk. Area closures, trail closures and camping closures are in effect. CLOSURES
  • The Fremont Trail #096 (Continental Divide Trail) remains open to through traffic, but is subject to closure at any time pending fire activity. Expect smokey conditions at times depending on wind direction.
  • This fire was caused by lightning and is being managed as a wildland fire for resource benefit. There are no immediate risks to structures at this time.
  • Wilderness guards are posted in the area to answer the public's questions and concerns.

(National Fire Situation Report)
Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates
Fire Restrictions:
BTNF Fire Restrictions

Local Fires at a Glance

New small fires:
Cliff Ck, 1/4 acre
Silver Ck, 1/4 acre
Whiskey, 2 acres, Halls Basin
Sweeney Ck, 1/4 acre, OUT
Dutch Joe, unknown status

Divide Fire:
Bridger Wilderness, south and east of Divide Lake, Pinedale Ranger District
Size: appx. 2,200 acres
Status: Wildland fire for resource benefit
Cause: Lightning

Divide Fire perimiter map. Click for larger version. USFS map.
Divide Fire Perimeter, August 21, 2002. Click for larger version. US Forest Service map.

Divide Fire closure area
Divide Fire Closure Area, August 15, 2002. See above map for latest fire perimeter. Click for larger version. US Forest Service map.

 

Geomac Fire Map web site
Teton Fires web site

CLOSURES
Camping Closures:
Lakes closed to camping within the closure area include Toboggan Lakes, Little Divide Lake, Divide Lake, Three Elk Lake, Pine Island Lakes, Monroe Lake, Knob Lakes, Moose Lake, Lightning Lakes, Full Moon Lake, Junction Lake, Sandpoint Lake, Bob's Lake, Dream Lake, South Fork Lake, Raid Lake, Cross Lake, Crescent Lake, Upper & Lower Sylvan Lakes, Warbonnet Lake, and Star Lake.

Trail Closures:

  • The entire Scab Creek Trail #110 from the Scab Creek Trailhead to Cross Lake
  • The Lowline Trail #095 from Little Divide Lake to Wolf Lake.
  • The entire Sage Basin Trail #109 from Scab Creek Trailhead to its junction with Scab Creek Trail, south of Crescent Lake.
  • The Highline Trail #094 from Full Moon Lake/Junction Lake south to Upper Silver Lakes.
  • The entire Sylvan Lakes Trail #162.
  • The entire Silver Lakes Trail #108.
  • The Fremont Trail #096 (Continental Divide Trail) remains open to through traffic, but is subject to closure at any time pending fire activity.

Trail closure status can change daily, so if you are planning on going into this area, check with the Forest Service before you head out for the latest updates and advisories. Current information can be obtained by checking with the Pinedale Ranger District office, 307-367-4326, or stopping by the District office. Check the Bridger Teton fire page and Teton Fires web sites for current press releases about fire conditions throughout the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Please be very careful with cigarettes when outdoors and remember that campfires are allowed ONLY in designated campgrounds.

Are you interested in more information about the Biscuit Fire in southern Oregon? This fire is now bigger than the old Tillamook burn. The Forest Service has a great web site with current information, maps, and photos at: www.biscuitfire.com.

Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates
Teton Fires web site: www.tetonfires.com

Fire restrictions are in effect on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Sublette County. No campfires except in developed campgrounds.

Fire Restrictions
BTNF Fire Restrictions

Fire Page Sponsor

Please visit our sponsor's web site. They help make this fire update page possible.

Triple Peak Lodge
Located on South Cottonwood Creek near the Wyoming Range
triplepeak.com

The family that owns and operates Triple Peak Lodge and Triple Peak Outfitters also helps with Pinedale Online and this fire update page, making it possible to bring this frequently updated information each fire season to our readers.

CURRENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Bridger-Teton National Forest:
Partial fire restrictions are in effect on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Back country users are reminded that campfires are not allowed above timberline in the wilderness at any time. Fireworks are prohibited at all times. Restrictions

Sublette County
County-wide fire restrictions are in effect. Lighting fireworks is prohibited within Sublette County.

BLM:
Fire restrictions began July 4th. No open fires except within developed recreation sites. Regulations regarding smoking, operating a chain saw, and welder are in effect. No fireworks.

State:
Restrictions went into effect on State lands on June 11th. No open fires, barbecue grills or fireworks on any lands or facilities administered by the Game and Fish Department.

Links to earlier Fire Info:

August 21, 2002
August 20, 2002
August 16, 2002
August 15, 2002
August 14, 2002 (Divide Fire pictures)
August 9, 2002 (Divide Fire pictures)
August 7, 2002
August 4, 2002
July 27, 2002
July 24, 2002 (More Mule fire pictures)
July 22, 2002
July 21, 2002 (Mule fire pictures)
July 19, 2002 (Mule fire pictures)
July 18, 2002
July 17, 2002
July 16, 2002
July 15, 2002
July 14, 2002
July 13, 2002
July 6, 2002
July 5, 2002
July 4, 2002
July 3, 2002
July 2, 2002
July 1, 2002
June 30, 2002
June 29, 2002
2001 Fire Updates
2000 Fire Updates

For More Info on the Web

Teton Fires
Bridger-Teton National Forest
National Interagency Fire Center NIFC
NIFC Wildland Fire Map

Where to get more information:
Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info
Mary Lendman or Jason Anderson
307-739-5542 or 307-739-5564

Pinedale Ranger District, BTNF
307-367-4326

Big Piney Ranger District, BTNF
307-276-3375

Where to report fires:
Sublette County Sheriff's Office
911 or 307-367-4378
Pinedale Ranger District
307-367-4326
Big Piney Ranger District
307-276-3375
BTNF Supervisor's Office (Jackson)
307-739-5500
Teton Fire Dispatch
(Grand Teton Park in Moose)
307-739-3630
307-739-3300

Callers are reminded that if they are using a cell phone, they may not get a local office when they dial 911. The best place to call for area fires is either the local Sheriff's office or the Bridger-Teton Fire Office. Be prepared to give a location of the smoke, your name, where you are calling from, and how they can get ahold of you again for more information if needed.


Anyone with concerns about fires can contact the Sublette County Sheriff's office at 307-367-4376, or the Pinedale Ranger District, 307-367-4326. Hikers in the wilderness who have cell phones (and can get a signal out) can call 911 and ask to be routed to the Sublette County Sheriff's office if they need to report a fire or have concerns. Be aware that 911 may route you to a different area other than Pinedale depending on where you are calling from.

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This Pinedale Online fire update is written by Dawn Svalberg from information obtained from the Pinedale Ranger District, the Jackson office of the US Forest Service Bridger-Teton National Forest, and online sources. Pinedale Online is solely responsible for the content of our fire update reports. See the Bridger-Teton National Forest web site for the official fire news releases.

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