Fontenelle Fact Sheet for Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Incident: Fontenelle Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/18/2012
Fontenelle Fire Fact Sheet for Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Status: The Fontenelle Fire began on June 24, 2012 and is located mainly in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and BLM High Desert District as well as state and private lands approximately 18 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming. The fire is creeping in heavy, dead timber with occasional areas of grass and sage in the lower elevations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire Statistics: 64,083 acres burned or 100 square miles | 87% contained | 116 personnel
Recent Events: Light precipitation fell over the fire area July 17. However, creeping fire behavior continues in all divisions with occasional single and group tree torching. Mop-up operations and the improvement of existing fire lines will continue since recent moisture has not put out the fire.
Today's Strategy: Crews will monitor, patrol and improve control lines. Fire line rehabilitation and road repair work will continue.
An infrared flight (IR) was ordered for the night of July 17 to help locate areas of heat within the fire perimeter. Firefighters will then prioritize and seek out these areas based on threats to the current containment line. This is being completed using a risk management process to reduce exposure to firefighters.
Variable fire severity within the fire's perimeter resulted in a mosaic burn pattern. While some areas saw extreme fire behavior that consumed all available vegetation, other portions were burned less severely or not at all. Smoke will be visible in the coming months as the fire creeps through unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter. Firefighters will monitor the fire throughout the summer to ensure that the isolated, interior fire activity stays within the existing perimeter.
Forecast: Increasingly warm temperatures and lower humidity are expected this week; however, humidity levels may rise over the weekend.
Closures: The closure order has been lifted in certain areas; the following roads and trails are now open:
·Middle Piney Road to the summer homes and Middle Piney Lake;
·The road north from Middle Piney to Bare Pass;
·South Piney Road to Snyder Basin and over Thompson Pass to LaBarge Creek;
·LaBarge Creek Road.
Note: Indian Creek-Coal Creek Road through Fish Creek from Middle Piney to South Piney at Snyder Basin remains CLOSED.
The public is urged to use caution when entering the fire area as there will be fire-related traffic and the possibility of limited vision due to smoke.
More Information: Please visit www.fs.usda.gov/btnf, www.inciweb.org, www.tetonfires.com, or www.wildlandfires.info.
