JACKSON, Wyo. — After days and days of smoky air in Jackson, a cold weather front might bring some relief.
The Pack Trail Fire is still estimated to be 86,555 acres in size, with 62% confinement reported by Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) on Wednesday, Oct. 16. That size is unchanged from Tuesday’s fire update.
BTNF expects that Wednesday’s weather conditions could “present the potential for increased fire behavior in the afternoon as winds continue from the southwest with potential for gusts at elevation in the 20 mph range as the expected cold front approaches,” according to the update.
That approaching cold front might mean a respite from persistent smoke in the valley, according to the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program.
“Smoke in Jackson Valley will clear by Wednesday afternoon, with air quality improving from unhealthy to moderate by evening,” the program’s website stated on Wednesday morning. “Dubois can expect periods of unhealthy with a thick plume of smoke NW of town. Elsewhere, good to moderate is forecast. After today, wetting rains and snow will begin to reduce smoke levels and improve air quality.”
Stay tuned for an update from Buckrail Meteorologist Alan Smith for more on what the cold front might entail precipitation-wise.
An amended forest closure order went into effect on Monday, Oct. 14, and will remain in place through Nov. 15 unless otherwise specified.
See www.tcincident.org for the most up-to-date evacuation information for Teton County. Track the Pack Trail Fire on InciWeb. Check on local air quality using AirNow.Gov. Find tips for dealing with wildfire smoke here.
