(Fremont County, WY) – The Pack Trail Fire has crossed Leeds Creek and 534 Road, prompting containment efforts from firefighters focusing on hotspots around Cowboy Camp, Strawberry Warming Hut, and Fish Creek Guard Station while maintaining structure protection in the Elk Track Ranch and Gros Ventre areas, according to the latest update from the USDA Forest Service
Drivers on US-26 should expect smoke and fire; caution is advised.
The Teton Interagency Fire managers maintain a Very High Fire Danger Rating due to dry conditions.
Moderate fire behavior persists on the east side, with crews conducting structure protection along the Highway 26 corridor and managing hazardous fuels in Union Pass Subdivision.
The Pack Trail Fire has grown to 71,424 acres and is now 62% confined.
Watch: Deputy Operations Section Chief Trainee, Allen Schultze, provides a comprehensive overview of the team’s current operations and strategic plan for October 12, 2024.
Pack Trail Fire Daily Update October 12, 2024
Total Acres: 71,424 Confined: 62% Total Personnel: 591
Operations – Today due to dry, unstable, windy weather conditions, moderated fire behavior is expected. Yesterday, near red flag conditions led to significant fire activity northeast of Union Pass Road. The fire picked up after noon, crossing Leeds Creek and 534 Road. Crews are now working to contain the fire’s spread tying it back to 534 Road after initially pulling back due to unsafe conditions. The Pack Trail Fire continued to back into the area around Cowboy Camp, Strawberry Warming Hut, and Fish Creek Guard Station, where firefighters are cleaning up hotspots, patrolling, and refilling tanks for the sprinkler systems for point protection. The fire remains contained north of Union Pass Road. On the west flank, firefighters are patrolling the Burnt Ridge area as the fire creeps slowly downhill. Structure protection crews are wrapping buildings, installing hose lays, and setting up sprinklers at Elk Track Ranch and in the Gros Ventre area.
Overnight on the east side, moderated fire behavior persisted and is expected to continue today. Crews are conducting structure protection in the Highway 26 corridor. Yesterday, crews worked in the Union Pass Subdivision to reduce hazardous fuels around homes. On the north side, no new fire activity was observed, but some heat remains in the interior, with smoke still visible. Crews continue patrolling for new smoke and fire growth
Safety – Drivers on US-26 may experience periods of smoke today due to high winds. Please use caution while driving, use headlights, and expect to encounter fire vehicles along the road. If planning travel on US-26 across the Continental Divide monitor WY-DOT for possible closures due to fire activity.
Teton Interagency Fire managers are maintaining the Very High Fire Danger Rating for Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Shoshone National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge. Due to excessively dry fuels, any spark can ignite fire which can spread rapidly, becoming a large fire and exhibit extreme fire intensity. Residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution with fire or possible ignition sources. Always build your campfires away from dry grass, leaves, and overhanging branches to reduce the risk of spreading wildfire. Clear at least a 10-foot perimeter around your fire, removing any flammable material, and make sure your fire is dead out and cool to touch before you go to sleep, or leave the area.
Weather – Today’s weather brings potential for moderate fire behavior. Today will be partly cloudy with temperatures in the low to mid 60s. The wind will be from the West going towards the east at 16 MPH with gusts up to 27. Relative humidity is 18-23%. To learn more about air quality, visit Fire.AirNow.Gov.
Road Closures – The Union Pass Road is closed on the Pinedale District (BTNF) from Mosquito Lake to the DuNoir on the Wind River District (SHO).
Evacuations – The Upper Gros Ventre area (Goosewing and Elk Track Ranches) in Teton County have been put into a Level 2 “Set” Evacuation Warning. Evacuations and evacuation alerts for several subdivisions and ranches in Fremont County, WY remain in place. See the Fremont County Emergency Management Facebook Page for alerts and updates. See the Teton County Emergency Management website updates and to sign up for emergency alerts through Everbridge.
Forest Closures – Closure Order #04-03-24-316 is in effect from October 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. through November 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. unless rescinded. This order supersedes previous orders, including #04-03-24-315, prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same described area.
For more information, visit: Facebook: USDA Forest Service – Bridger-Teton National Forest, USDA Forest Service – Shoshone National – Forest Pack Trail Inciweb.