JACKSON, Wyo. — As fire conditions escalate, crews fighting the Fish Creek Fire and Pack Trail Fire are preparing for another stretch of windy days and the corresponding effects to these large wildfires. Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) provided an update on Friday, Oct. 4, reporting that the Fish Creek Fire is now 25,443 acres in size and the Pack Trail Fire is now 19,652 acres in size.
A Red Flag Warning for nearly the entire state is in effect for Friday and Saturday. This means fires can start easily from most causes and could spread rapidly, becoming large fires and exhibiting extreme fire intensity, BTNF said. Fire danger in northwestern Wyoming was elevated on Thursday to “very high.” Officials discourage burning of any kind.
“Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures and strong gusty winds could cause erratic fire behavior,” BTNF writes in its Friday update. “Wind gusts could exceed 50 mph.”
BTNF shared that the Fish Creek Fire experienced “minor fire activity” on its north side on Thursday, but aerial and ground resources handled changes quickly. The Pack Trail Fire experienced “small growth” in the Trout and Buckskin Creek drainages; crews also observed slow backing toward the confluence of the North and South forks Fish Creek. Crews continue to reduce fuel and protect structures in the area. BTNF said additional resources are expected to arrive this weekend.
Previously announced evacuations and closures surrounding the fires remain in place. Track the Pack Trail Fire and the Fish Creek Fire on InciWeb. Check on local air quality using AirNow.Gov.
A public meeting about both fires will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the BTNF Facebook page.
