SUBLETE COUNTY, WYO – Firefighters look to be turning a corner on the Roosevelt Fire this week.
The incident is now at 61,448 acres with 60% containment. Some 1,109 personnel are working the fire.
Firefighters and fire equipment are being demobbed from the fire today through Wednesday. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team will take command of the fire on Thursday, October 4 at 6:00am, with operations based in Pinedale. The current Incident Command Post will close.
Fire behavior Sunday
Moderate fire behavior with minimal growth was experienced Sunday. Wind conditions in the afternoon produced some fire behavior with isolated torching and crowning in the timbered areas on the west, southwest and southeast sides of the fire. Backing and interior burnout occurred throughout the fire area. During peak burning period the fire exhibited moderate spread rates and flame lengths.
Weather
Finally, a long-awaited break from the Red Flag Warning will be enjoyed today. Winds will be light and variable in the morning. The inversion will be stronger this morning, breaking between noon and 2pm. After that, winds will become west-southwest at 10-12 mph with isolated gusts up to 20 mph.
The long-range forecast looks very favorable for firefighting with heavy rain expected tomorrow and a rain/snow mix on tap for later in the week. In fact, flooding may become an issue especially in Hoback Ranches.
Today’s efforts
On the north end of the fire the following actions are occurring: Kilgore Canyon is being monitored; from Upper Hoback Road to Rim Station area, crews will continue to patrol, and mop up the fire. Suppression repair has begun. On the northeast edge of the fire, suppression repair is ongoing while crews continue to monitor, patrol and mop up.
At the east edge of the fire, crews will continue construct line where needed and continue to secure small pockets east of Annie’s Draw.
In Rolling Thunder Subdivision, crews continue to secure values at risk and remove unneeded equipment. In Jim Bridger Estates, crews will be monitoring for any potential threat from the fire. Patrol and mop up will continue where appropriate along the southern edge.
Other important info
Residents will hopefully begin returning to their properties in Hoback Ranches beginning Monday, October 1. Recovery efforts continue today. Lower Valley Energy and Rocky Mountain Energy are working to restore destroyed infrastructure, while firefighters continue to clear dangerous snags and put out hotspots of fire as they occur.
Old Yellowstone Garage will be providing dinner today for evacuees and firefighters. They will be set up at the Bondurant Church starting to feed people between 5-6pm.
Representative Liz Cheney is visiting Bondurant on Tuesday, October 2, to listen to residents and learn what support is needed and how she might be able to help. Bondurant School at 5:30pm.
