JACKSON, Wyo. — The Fish Creek Fire, burning a few miles southwest of Togwotee Pass, is sending up huge plumes of smoke visible from both sides of the Gros Ventre mountain range.
The fire stretched over 7,798 acres Thursday, Aug. 22 and was predicted to keep growing.
Buckrail photographer Nick Sulzer captured the views (and lack thereof) from Togwotee Pass, where haze from the fire’s smoke has settled. Drivers are urged to keep headlights on and use caution while on the pass.
The fire is burning in the Fish Creek drainage area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF). BTNF handed control of the fire off to a Type 3 Incident Management Team the morning of Tuesday Aug. 20 after it had exhausted its resources. On Thursday, BTNF announced fire fighting efforts would pass to a Complex Incident Management Team with even more firefighting resources.
The fire, which was caused by lightning, was first reported Friday, Aug. 16.
A pre-evacuation notice has been issued for residences along US 26/287 between mileposts 30 and 35 and several road and trail closures are in effect in the area.
