JACKSON, Wyo. — The Fish Creek Fire now covers 18,734 acres in the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF), according to an update by BTNF on Thursday, Sept. 5. The fire grew by 822 acres since Wednesday’s update.
Spot fires continue to flare up northeast of US26, which remains closed until further notices. The largest spot fire BTNF has reported was one tenth of an acre in size. BTNF notes that firefighters have successfully suppressed all spot fires so far, with none of them taking hold or growing.
Thursday’s firefighting plan includes patrolling along the highway to hold the edge of the fire, with help from helicopter water bucket drops, according to BTNF. Aerial firing operations are also possible, dependent upon conditions.
“While the northeastern corner remains the operational priority because of several identified critical values at risk identified as a part of the confine/point protection strategy, work continues on other parts of the fire,” BTNF said. “Crews and equipment will finish working on the Flagstaff Road as an indirect control line and then move to the western side where the Flagstaff-Spread Creek Road has been identified as an indirect control line and needs to be improved using hand crews and equipment. Structure protection crews will patrol the Brooks Lake Lodge and Pinnacle areas and test the pumps, hose and sprinklers to make sure they are ready to protect structures if needed.”
The warmer, drier weather forecast has BTNF anticipating a “steady increase in fire behavior as fuels dry out.” Crews will be watching for surface fires in dead and down fuels, along with single and group tree torching. Areas that have previously burned lightly or patchily have the potential to become active on Thursday, BTNF said.
“Given the condition of the fuels, downwind spotting is likely from any torching trees,” BTNF said. “Spotting distance is expected out to 1 mile. If spotting occurs, the probability of success is high to contain them quickly with aerial and ground resources.”
