(Dubois, WY) – The Fish Creek Fire, which was caused by lightning and has been burning since August 16 about 7 miles SW of Togwotee Pass, now sits at 25,017 acres as of September 18, and is commanded by Incident Commander Scott Schuster with the Northern Rockies Team 2.
Currently, there are 354 total personnel working the fire, consisting of 9 Hand Crews, 7 Engines, 12 Heavy Equipment, and 2 Helicopters.
The fire currently sits at 79 percent complete.
KEY MESSAGES
Even with moisture and light snow, the fire continues to smolder in heavy timber, litter, dead and down timber, and younger mixed conifers. Minimal fire behavior is expected, but creeping, smoldering, and backing behavior of the fire will continue with an occasional single tree torching.
Firefighters and heavy equipment will continue to work in the Highway 26/287 corridor. Please drive with caution, especially with snowy conditions over the pass. Public and firefighter safety continues to be our highest priority on the Fish Creek Fire.
The Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests updated the Closure Order for the area of the fire on Sept. 17th, opening the areas north of US-26 that had been previously closed. The closures that remain provide for public and firefighters safety. Please respect the orders for roads, campgrounds, and trails that remain closed. Additional information regarding the current closure order can be found on the Forest websites. Numerous hazards will remain in those areas.
CURRENT STATUS
Due to inclement weather yesterday which impacted roads in the fire area, firefighters disengaged on more remote parts of the fire for safety reasons and to minimize impact to roads. Hand crews, however, continued repairing some of the disturbance caused by suppression efforts along Deception Road from Highway 26 to Brooks Lake Lodge campground. Firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior in the area for potential threats to the HWY 26 and other critical values.
Firefighters continued to make progress on the fuels mitigation project around the structures of Togwotee Lodge. The cutting phase is complete and now removal of vegetation debris will proceed as well as brush reduction. This action will improve defensible space for values at risk from future wildfires. Large amounts of vegetation have been mitigated from this area.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
The area of the Fish Creek Fire has received a significant amount of moisture across the fire zone over the last week. The forecast is for scattered rain today, continued through the evening. This precipitation will further reduce fire activity.
AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE
Aside from continued smoldering and isolated torching, the fire footprint is putting up minimal smoke. For up-to-date air quality alerts, current and predicted smoke conditions and ways to mitigate poor air quality, check out the AirNow website at https://www.airnow.gov/.
CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS
The joint Closure Order issued by both the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests for the fire area, remains in effect. Please do not enter the closure area or use any Forest Roads that are closed. For specific details regarding this closure, please reference the announcement on Inciweb for Sept 17th, 2024.
Under the jurisdiction of Fremont County, the areas of Brooks Lake, Pinnacle Drive and Breccia Drive have been reduced to Level 1 “Ready” Status (indicated by green blocks on the PIO Incident Map). A Level 1 “Ready” Status means residents should closely monitor information feeds regarding fire activity. See the Fremont County Fire Protection District Facebook page for current alerts.
The Teton County Division of Emergency Management utilizes a Ready, Set, Go system for evacuation messaging, visit their website for additional details at www.tetoncountywy.gov/1846/Ready-Set-GO. (Indicated by green blocks on the PIO Incident Map.) They advise all residents to be in a “Ready” status by preparing for evacuations and becoming fire adapted. All residents are encouraged to sign up for Teton County, Wyoming’s free alert and warning service, Teton WY Alerts at: Teton_WY Alerts – Sign Up (everbridge.net).
US HWY 26/287 is open for free-flowing traffic. Motorists may still experience smoke and sometimes limited visibility as well as wintery road conditions. A 45-mph speed restriction remains in effect for the fire area. Motorists are encouraged to stay alert for fire personnel and fire vehicles and use caution when traveling through the area.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) continues to work closely with Fremont County Emergency Management, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and fire officials for the safety of motorists and firefighters.
Drivers are encouraged to visit https://www.wyoroad.info/prior to traveling on US HWY 26/287 for road status and information, or download the Wyoming 511 app at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/WY511Mobile.html to monitor for any changes due to fire activity.