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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.
Fire Danger is Moderate
Partial Camp Fire Restrictions go in effect beginning Thursday, July 18
Fire Page sponsored by:
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Home | NIFC Current Wildfire Map | Bridger-Teton NF Fire Info | Teton Fires

Wild Fire Updates
Monday, July 15, 2002 -
10:00 pm

The Bridger-Teton National Forest is elevating the fire danger rating on the forest to VERY HIGH as of July 16th. Partial fire restrictions to go into effect on the BT-NF and in Grand Teton National Park beginning Thursday, July 18th.
Bridger-Teton National Forest fire press releases

  • The Mule Creek Fire is being transitioned to a Type II Team from North Carolina on Tuesday. The fire grew to 1600 acres today with spotting being a concern, but crews were able to keep them under control. The Horse Creek/Merna road has been closed at the forest boundary for public safety while fire fighters work on this fire. The fire danger will be elevated to Very High as of Tuesday and partial fire restrictions will go into effect on Thursday. (More Info)
  • Several fires are currently burning in Yellowstone National Park.
  • Fire restrictions are in effect on BLM and State lands.
  • Mule Creek Fire Map

    Mule Creek Fire Map
    Click for larger map

    Local Fires at a Glance

    The Mule Creek Fire is burning in the Wyoming Range near Lookout Mtn on the Big Piney Ranger District. The Horse Creek road is currently closed to non-essential public travel at the forest boundary.

    Geomac Fire Map web site

    Wyoming BLM Fire Page

    More Current Fire Information:
    The Mule Creek Fire grew to 1600 acres today as crews worked to control spotting south of Horse Creek road and keep the fire from moving into Mill Creek. Four 20-person hand crews arrived today to help with the suppression efforts. At this time there are nine 20-person hand crews, two ten-person camp crews, three helicopters, three air tankers and two lead planes working on the fire. More crews are expected in tomorrow. Horse Creek road is being used to keep the fire to the north and every effort is being made to keep the fire from crossing this boundary and out of the heavy fuels to the south. Hand crews have been mopping up the northern flank of the fire. The command post is being moved from Sherman Guard station to a larger location with better communication capabilities. The Horse Creek road is closed to the public at the forest boundary. Please refrain from going to that area unless you have business there and use caution when driving the Horse Creek/Merna road due to the increased fire-related vehicle traffic. Air space is restricted around the fire due to the fire helicopter and air tanker plane activity.

    Fire restrictions will go into effect beginning Thursday, July 18th on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in Grand Teton National Park. The fire danger has been elevated to Very High as of Tuesday, July 16th. Fire restrictions include the following:

    • Building, maintaining attending or using a fire, campfire, barbecue or grill is allowed only in designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas.
    • Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
    • Operating a chainsaw in national parks is prohibited. Operating a chainsaw on national forests is permitted only when equipped with an USDA or SAE approved spark arrester that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
    • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame is prohibited, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter. A chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A must be at the location.
    • Using an explosive requiring blasting caps is prohibited.

    Local residents and visitors should recognize that very high fire danger exists in this area and practice heightened fire safety at all times. For more information, please contact Bridger-Teton National Forest (307) 739-5500 or Grand Teton National Park at (307) 739-3300.

    Daily press release updates for this fire are available from the Bridger-Teton National Forest fire page. For more information, contact the Bridger-Teton National Forest at (307) 739-5500.

    Other area fires:
    The public is encouraged to report any new smoke columns they see. You can keep up with where the fires are burning by checking in on the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Large Fire update page and Fire Map. Fires are also now burning in Yellowstone National Park. The Teton Fires web site also has interagency fire information links for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, www.tetonfires.com.

    CURRENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS

    Bridger-Teton National Forest:
    NO fire restrictions on Bridger-Teton National Forest administered lands at this time. Back country users are reminded that campfires are not allowed above timberline in the wilderness at any time. Fireworks are prohibited at all times.

    Sublette County
    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.

    Fire Page Sponsor

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

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

     

    Links to earlier Fire Info:

    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.  Copyright 2002.

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