Firefighting efforts continue on the Bare Fire. The fire is estimated at 800 acres in size. Wyoming Team 3, a type 3 incident management team, took command of the fire today at 6:00 a.m.
The Bare Fire is located north of Bare Pass and east of Bare Creek on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire is burning in heavy timber fuels and is exhibiting increased fire activity, including torching and spotting, as fuel moisture decreases and temperatures rise in the afternoon. The fire has crossed jurisdictional boundaries, including Bureau of Land Management land and private land in Sublette County, adjacent to the Forest boundary. Cause of the fire is undetermined.
Firefighting resources include one type-1 helicopter, two type-3 helicopters, one water tender, one type-3 engine, eight type-6 engines, six smokejumpers, one type-2 initial attack crew, one type-2 crew, two 10-person suppression modules, and firefighter and other support staff.
Fire managers are implementing direct extinguishment and indirect confinement strategies on the Bare Fire. A direct extinguishment strategy is when firefighters engage the active flame front directly to stop fire spread. An indirect confinement strategy is when firefighters work away from the active flame front to steer or contain the fire.
Crews have established an anchor point at the heel of the fire, a secure location that firefighters establish to begin building fireline from. Today, firefighters will continue going direct and engage the fire at its active edge, constructing line along the fire’s perimeter to slow fire spread. Aerial resources will continue to support ground operations by attacking the fire from above. Additionally, fire personnel are implementing structure protection measures on private land adjacent to the forest boundary.
Bare Fire Area and Road Closure Order #04-03-26-305 has been established to provide for public and firefighter safety and is available here.
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office has coordinated pre-evacuation notices and utilizes the “Ready, Set, Go” alert system. High Lonesome Ranch is in the “Set” stage for possible evacuation. Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and Sublette County Emergency Management will continue to provide updates.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Teton Interagency Dispatch area, which includes the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge. See Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Forest Order #04-03-26-304 here for more information. The fire danger rating remains “high” for the area, meaning wildfires can start easily and spread quickly.
Find the latest updates, maps and more on the Bear Fire InciWeb page here.
For other news, events and information, visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest website and follow the Bridger-Teton on Facebook and X @BridgerTetonNF.