Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with new information following its original publication. Updates were made at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
JACKSON, Wyo. — Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) has announced that at least five new fires were sparked overnight.
BTNF reported the following new wildfires:
| Fire Name | Acres | Cause | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat | 0.10 | Lightning | Teton Wilderness area |
| Buck | 0.10 | Lightning | Hoback Canyon area located off the south face of Beaver Mountain |
| Crystal Creek | 0.25 | Lightning | Near the Gros Ventre Wilderness |
| Wolf Mountain | 0.10 | Lightning | Snake River Canyon |
| Wilson Face | 0.10 | Lightning | Near Phelps Ridge in Wilson |
“These are the fires we know of, but there may be others,” BTNF posted to Facebook. “If you see smoke we are asking you to call Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630. We need your help!”
Teton Interagency Fire is also reporting a new fire in Grand Teton National Park. The 0.1-acre Pilgrim Creek Fire, discovered Thursday, is considered controlled.
All six new fires were caused by lightning, according to Teton Interagency Fire. A thunderstorm moved through the Jackson region last night, and the National Weather Service is forecasting “widespread elevated to near critical fire weather conditions today with periodic wind gusts up to 35 mph across much of central and southern WY.” More thunderstorm activity is expected in the days ahead, per the weather service.
On Wednesday, Teton Interagency Fire lowered fire danger on BTNF from “very high” to “high.” Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place.
BTNF resources continue to address the Dollar Lake Fire (19,408 acres, 56% contained, burning since Aug. 21) and the Willow Creek Fire (4,066 acres, 96% contained, burning since Aug. 22). Track both of those blazes on InciWeb.
