JACKSON, Wyo. — The pair of wildfires burning in the counties surrounding Jackson remain ongoing concerns, but wetter weather slowed their growth yesterday, according to Thursday morning’s fire updates by Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF).
Willow Creek Fire
A community meeting about the Willow Creek Fire has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday at the Afton Civic Center (150 Washington Street) to provide updates on fire behavior and to allow the public to ask questions of fire managers and agency reps. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the BTNF Facebook page.
The fire is still reportedly 4,356 acres in size, and is now 17% contained. Crews made progress securing parts of the fire’s eastern perimeter with control lines and cleared vegetation, BTNF said. Crews also set up a “pumpkin,” a large collapsible reservoir that can be filled with water and used with a constructed sprinkler system if necessary. Firefighters scouted the fire’s northern and southern perimeters, assessing structural protection needs and safeguarding Allred Flats Campground. They also began working on the western perimeter.
“With the rain and thunderstorms starting to lift in the coming days,
smoke from the fire will become more visible with an expected increase in fire
behavior,” the update reads.
Dollar Lake Fire
The Dollar Lake Fire is reportedly still 13,449 acres in size and 10% contained. BTNF reports that crews have made progress on the northern and western edges of the fire with containment lines. Efforts surrounding the Red Cliff Bible Camp continue, with crews working “directly on the fireline with handcrews and tying the containment line into the road system northeast of the camp and the meadows between Green River Lakes Road and the wilderness boundary,” the update reads.
Handcrews along the eastern perimeter of the fire are working directly on the fireline and are making their way to the Green River Lake.
Aerial firefighting resources were grounded on Wednesday, but might be usable on Thursday, BTNF said. Three type 1 helicopters, one medium helicopter and one light helicopter are assigned to the fire, along with the use of three scoopers and a military medevac helicopter with hoist capability.
“Monsoonal moisture will persist on Thursday, with continued chances of showers and thunderstorms,” the update reads. “However, rain is expected to be more isolated, with lower chances for a wetting rain. Friday and Saturday will see lingering showers and thunderstorms with humidity dropping back down into the 30 to 40 percent range in the afternoon. Gusty outflow winds and lightning remain a threat with any thunderstorm activity.”
