Category: Wyoming Fires (Page 3 of 9)

[PM Edit: I just checked back in with InciWeb and perhaps the 4,110 acre number this morning was incorrect, or had not been updated. The acreage involved is now listed at 8,052, but still at 60% contained.]

I just checked in and InciWeb has the following update:

Summary: The Bone Creek Fire continues to grow to the south and west and is burning in Shell Canyon below Copman’s Tomb. The fire is being fueled by warm, dry weather; steep canyon topography; and large amounts of dead timber. As of 8:00 am Tuesday morning, an overhead supervisory group, two engines, a 20 person handcrew and a helicopter are assigned to the incident.

Planned Actions: The Bone Creek fire has been under a suppression strategy since it started. The north and east perimeters of the fire have seen extensive suppression work including helicopter bucket drops and line construction. The lines were strengthened by firefighters burning out the unburned fuels between the main fire and the Hunt Mountain Road. Less suppression activity has taken place in the deep canyons on the southwest corner of the fire. The heavy fuels, combined with steep inaccessible topograhphy are unsafe for hand crews.

Projected Movement: On warm dry days, people should anticipate seeing sometimes significant amounts of smoke and fire activity until there is a significant snowfall. When temperatures rise and relative humidities drop to conducive levels, the fire will continue to burn.

It is still listed at 4,110 acres and 60% contained.

I had not seen any updates on the Bone Creek fire in some time, but today according to InciWeb (from a couple days ago) the fire was listed at 4,110 acres and 60% contained.

According to InciWeb:

The Bone Creek Fire has grown about one hundred acres in the past week to about 4110 acres. About 60% of the fire perimeter is ‘contained’, or has a fire line around it.

Medicine Wheel/Paintrock District Ranger Dave Sisk reports that, “Despite some recent rain that wetted down the lighter fuels, the Bone Creek fire area includes heavy amounts of standing and downed dead trees where we will continue to see individual tree torching and periodic fire runs within the existing fire perimeter.” Sisk continued, “Our objective is to keep the fire from crossing Forest Roads 10 (Hunt Mountain) and 216. We continue to maintain firefighters on this incident, which currently include an overhead, supervisory group; two engines and a 20-person handcrew.” Because of previous burnout operations along road 10 and the existing fire fighting force engaged, Sisk feels reasonably confident that this objective can be met.

A long term fire behavior analyst recently assessed forecast and historical weather conditions, fuels, topography, and other factors, and predicted that the fire is unlikely to continue to the south past Copman’s Tomb into Shell Canyon prior to September 4. “At this point in time, we are not actively engaging the fire in Cedar Creek”, stated Sisk. Cedar Creek is steep, with heavy fuels, and a large amount of bug-killed trees, and there are no escape routes or safety zones for firefighters. “We have established trigger points along Forest Trail 055, which is below Copman’s Tomb, where firefighters will engage in suppression activities,” continued District Ranger Sisk.

An area closure in the Bone Creek Fire remains in effect. Entry is prohibited into the Cedar Creek, Grouse Creek, Willey Creek, and Brindle Creek areas. Forest Roads 205, 216 and 220, as well as Forest Trail 055, are closed.

On warm, dry days, people should anticipate seeing sometimes significant amounts of smoke and fire activity until there is a significant snowfall. The Bone Creek fire burned in a patchy pattern in very heavy fuels in inaccessible canyons, and when temperatures rise and relative humidities drop to conducive levels, the fire will continue to burn.

Just a little while ago InciWeb posted a report on Bone Creek, and unless it changes or flares up significantly, it will be their last posted report. It is listed at 40% contained and at 4027 acres, the same as yesterday.

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire behavior today with occassional showers and high humidity over the fire. Fire behavior has moderated from previous days, but is expected to increase as the weekend approaches.

Significant Events: No significant progress made today due to poor roads due to the weather, high humidity, and the high moisture content of the fuels. The team is preparing to transition to a Type III management organization at 0600 on 8/24/2007 who will monitor the fire over the next few days.

Planned Actions: Transition to the Type III organization. Monitor the fire for an increase in activity while reinforcing containment efforts begun earlier this week to reinforce the natural barriers around the fire.

Hopefully this weekend will not be too extreme and the fire will not grow, or grow minimally. According to the National Weather Service, both Saturday and Sunday are are supposed to be in the low to mid 90’s with winds in the range of 5 to 11 mph.

InciWeb this morning reports the Bone Creek fire as 40% contained and has risen to 4027 acres. The rains yesterday helped considerably and dropped around an inch of rain on the fire. Total personnel on the fire is today listed at 264, down from 365 yesterday

Fire Behavior: Isolated torching with minimal fire behavior.

Significant Events: Aerial ignition in Wiley and Cedar Creek drainages was not completed due to weather. Secured some perimeter through hand ignition, cold trailing and direct line construction.

Planned Actions: If suitable weather, continue burn out operation to limit fire spread east of Road 10. Continue direct line and mop up operation. Try to secure west flank. Assess structure protection needs along Highway 14.

I had tentatively planned a trip up to Little Goose Canyon today, but due to the rain last night I will wait for a few days. The last thing I want to do is cause any sort of damage to the now fragile burn areas.

InciWeb has just updated the status of the Bone Creek fire which is now at 25% containment and 3759 acres. The number of personnel assigned to this fire is now at 365.

According to InciWeb:

Fire Behavior: Moderate behavior with single tree and group torching. Fire behavior has moderated from previous, but is expected to increase as weather clears, RH drops and temperatures rise.

Planned Actions: If suitable weather exists, continue burn out operation to limit fire spread east of Road 10. Try to secure west flank. Assess structure protection needs along Highway 14.