It may have a menacing name, but the newly-discovered Skull Fire in the Bridger Wilderness isn’t big enough to pose a threat — yet.
Hikers spotted the fire Wednesday in the southern half of the Wind River Range. Teton Interagency Dispatch sent a Type 3 helicopter to locate it and size it up. They found a fire burning in a single tree in a remote, rocky area roughly half a mile south of Skull Lake. The lightning-caused fire was likely started during one of many recent thunderstorms. As of last night, the fire was only 1/10 of an acre.
Fire managers are not taking any suppression action at this time. They intend to periodically check fire activity and prepare long-term management plans that address firefighter, public, and backcountry safety.
Smoke from this wildfire may be visible to visitors in the southern end of the Wind River Range.
