Return to front page

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:
Triple Peak Lodge
Home | NIFC Current Wildfire Map | Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info | Teton Fires

Wild Fire Updates
Wednesday, August 7, 2002

Divide Fire burning in Bridger Wilderness. Section of Lowline Trail between Little Divide Lake and Monroe Lake Junction closed Wednesday evening. Possible closure of Scab Creek Trail Thursday.
The Divide Fire was detected Tuesday evening burning approximately 1/2 mile south of Divide Lake in the Bridger Wilderness east of Boulder. This lightning-caused fire is expected to grow to approximately 20 acres by Wednesday evening. The fire is being managed as a wildland fire for resource benefit.
TRAIL CLOSURES: Portions of the Lowline Trail between Little Divide Lake and Monroe Lake Junction were closed Wednesday evening. It is expected that the Scab Creek Trail will be closed tomorrow due to its close proximity to the path of the fire. The campground will remain open. Currently forest rangers are in the process of relocating any wilderness campers who are in the areas of Lower Divide Lake, Knobb Lake, Moose Lake, Upper and Lower Sylvan Lakes,
Crescent Lake, Lightning Lake, and Pine Island Lake due to the potential spread direction of the fire. Forest Service personnel are stationed at the campground trailhead and in the area to answer any questions from hikers and assist with relocating campers from the closed area. Scroll down this page for more details.
(National Fire Situation Report)

Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates

  • Trail closures are in effect for the section of the Lowline Trail between Little Divide Lake and Monroe Lake in the Bridger Wilderness due to the Divide Fire. It is expected that closure of the Scab Creek Trail may take place as soon as tomorrow if the fire continues to move in that direction. The Scab Creek campground remains open.

  • The area closure for the Horse Creek/Beaver Creek drainage areas have been lifted. Although the roads and area are open, people are discouraged from using the area unless they need to. There is still increased traffic on the road and some helicopter activity occuring.

  • Bridger-Teton National Forest fire information is available iby calling (307) 739-5500, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday or on the web at: Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press updates
  • Forest Service officials remind people that fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds. Also, campers are reminded not to leave campfires unattended and to make sure their fire is completely out before leaving the area.

Local Fires at a Glance

Divide Fire:
Bridger Wilderness, 1/2 mile south of Divide Lake, Pinedale Ranger District
Size: appx 20 acres
Status: Wildland fire for resource benefit
Cause: Lightning

Mule Fire:
Horse Creek, Big Piney Ranger District
Size: 3,930 acres
Status: 100% Controlled
Cause: Lightning

Geomac Fire Map web site

Teton Fires web site

 

More Current Fire Information:
The Divide Fire, located approximately 1/2 mile south of Divide Lake in the Bridger Wilderness, was detected Tuesday evening. Cause of this fire has been determined to be lightning. This fire is burning in heavy lodgepole pine timber and is being managed as a wildland fire for resource benefit. At this time, there are two Helitack and four ground-crew personnel monitoring this fire. The fire is expected to grow from two acres to about 20 acres by Wednesday evening. A temporary trail closure has been put into effect for the portion of the Lowline Trail between Little Divide Lake and Monroe Lake Junction. Because of the high potential for this fire to spread into Scab Creek drainage, it is expected that the Scab Creek Trail may be closed Thursday if the fire continues moving in that direction. Forest Service personnel are at the trailhead and in the area to answer questions and relocate any campers in the area. The column of smoke from the fire is visible this evening.
   Backcountry visitors in camps in the vicinity of Divide Lakes, Monroe Lake, Moose Lake, Knobb Lake, Upper and Lower Sylvan Lakes, Crescent Lake, Lightning Lake and Pine Island Lake are being relocated. These areas are currently closed to camping due to the threat of the Divide Fire and camps are being relocated out of that area.
   Managing a naturally caused fire to improve fire dependent ecosystems provides significant environmental benefits such as aspen regeneration, wildlife habitat enhancement and hazard fuel reduction. Resource benefit fires are a managed event requiring fire managers to routinely monitor the progress of the fire and at times take active management actions to ensure the fire meets pre-identified objectives.
   As an aside, a cold front is moving in from the Pacific Northwest over the next day or so which is expected to bring much colder temperatures, especially at night. Snow is possible for the higher mountain elevations and frost possible in the valleys. Temperatures are expected to be 20-30 degrees cooler by Friday, with winds accompanying the movement of the cold front.

The Mule Fire, located in the Horse and Beaver Creek drainages of the Wyoming Range, is 100% controlled. Crews operating out of Sherman Guard Station will continue to work on fire mop-up and road and trail rehab. Road restrictions at the Merna Junction were lifted last Saturday night, but residents are cautioned that there is still increased traffic on the roads from fire fighting personnel. The public is still being asked not to go into the area unless they need to.

Check the Bridger Teton fire page and Teton Fires web sites for current press releases about fire conditions. Please be very careful with cigarettes when outdoors and remember that campfires are allowed ONLY in designated campgrounds.

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 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.


Return to Pinedale Online front page

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 these reports. Copyright 2002.

Pinedale Online!
Located in Office Outlet, PO Box 662, Pinedale, WY 82941
support@pinedaleonline.com
307-367-6763

www.pinedaleonline.com