(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 25,052 acres as of September 19, and is commanded by Incident Commander Scott Schuster with the Northern Rockies Team 2.
Currently, there are 349 total personnel working the fire, consisting of 9 Hand Crews, 3 Engines, 13 Heavy Equipment, and 2 Helicopters.
The fire currently sits at 79 percent complete.
KEY MESSAGES
The fire continues to smolder in heavy timber, litter, dead and down timber, and younger mixed conifers, despite recent moisture and light snow. Minimal fire behavior is expected, but creeping, smoldering, and backing behavior of the fire will continue with an occasional single tree torching. Care with fire of any kind is still advised across the entire region.
Work will continue along the Highway 26/287 corridor. Firefighters and heavy equipment will be present. Please drive with caution, especially with wet or 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.
The main basecamp for firefighters has moved to Dubois and will be located at the Dubois Town Park. This will increase traffic in that area. Please be aware of the additional vehicles entering and departing the area.
A Type 3 Incident Management Team, Nevada Team 4, has arrived in Dubois. They in-briefed with outgoing Northern Rockies Team 2 last night, will shadow today, and will assume operational control of the incident at 0600 Friday, September 20th.
Further information feeds will be undertaken as necessary, dependent upon fire behavior or emerging conditions. For forest closure information, please refer to the Bridger-Teton NF website, the Bridger-Teton NF Facebook page, and the Bridger-Teton NF feed on X (Twitter).
CURRENT STATUS
Due to the recent inclement weather, which impacted roads in the fire area, firefighters remained disengaged on more remote parts of the fire for safety reasons and to minimize impact to roads. Hand crews, however, continued their work along Deception Road from Highway 26 to Brooks Lake Lodge campground.Firefighters continue to monitor the fire behavior in the area.
At the fuel mitigation project around Togwotee Lodge, the cutting phase is complete and now removal of vegetation debris will proceed as well as continued brush reduction. This action will improve defensible space for values at risk from future wildfires. Work has also resumed on the Flagstaff Road and large amounts of vegetation are being removed 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. Forecast is for scattered precipitation and low temperatures over the fire area.
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. 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. 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 travelling 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.