BIG PINEY, Wyo. — The the lightning-caused Horse Fire on Bridger-Teton National Forest’s (BTNF) Big Piney Ranger District has reached the size of 2,251 acres, according to a Sunday morning update by BTNF.
The Horse Fire was first reported on the Big Piney Ranger District on Friday, June 13, in a region with heavy, dry timber, located roughly 10-miles west of Merna, Wyo., 5 miles northeast of McDougal Gap and 2 miles west of Prospect Peak.
Having spread almost 400 acres since Friday, 224 personnel have been working to find hot spots outside control lines using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). According to BTNF, erratic winds over the weekend created challenging conditions for operations, and engines were utilized to monitor the fire’s edge.
“Erratic winds have the potential to send embers causing spot fires well beyond containment lines,” BTNF wrote in the update.
According to the BTNF’s forecast, a low-pressure system moved away from the region on Sunday night, leaving improving conditions, less wind, cool temperatures and “excellent humidity recovery.”
The BTNF has issued an emergency closure order in place to keep fire crews and emergency staff safe as they work to suppress the fire. Fire danger for the BTNF remains “moderate.”
To find updates on the Horse Fire and view Forest Closure Order, visit InciWeb.
