Gunbarrel Fire Update 8-27-08
Incident: Gunbarrel Wildland Fire
Released: 8/27/2008
Successful Burnout Completed Near Elephant Lodge
Firefighters successfully completed a burnout operation above the Elephant Head Lodge on Tuesday afternoon, reducing fuels and strengthening containment lines.
Forecasted winds from the Red Flag warning materialized as meteorologists predicted, adding additional growth to the fire. Another Red Flag warning has been issued for today.
Structure protection remains in place for residences. Firefighters expect to be busy defending homes in upper portions of the Jim Mountain, Jim Creek, and Big Creek areas, as well as cabins and lodges on the fire's west end, in the Libby Creek area.
Yesterday the fire made advances in the Goff Creek and Gunbarrel Creek drainages where structure protection is in place. Due to the potential for the fire to spread towards Elephant Head Lodge and Goth Creek Lodge, these lodges remain under an evacuation advisory. The fire also grew on the east side, spotting onto the east side of Trout Creek.
Members of the Great Basin Type 1 Incident Management Team arrived yesterday and shadowed the current team during the day. Transfer of command occurred at 6:00 am this morning. The Incident Command Post has been relocated to Buffalo Bill State Park in order to accommodate the increase in fire personnel.
Quick Facts: Gunbarrel Fire is north of the highway between Cody, WY and Yellowstone National Park.
·· Acres 57,384
·· Cost to Date: $7,603,000
·· 349 people committed:
·o 8 crews: 2 hotshot crews, 3 hand crews, and 3 fire use modules
·o 6 helicopters
·o 33 engines and 5 water tenders
The Great Basin Incident Management Team Fire Information contact is Bill Paxton. During the transition to the new Incident Command Post, there may be a period of time when the Fire Information line at 866-588-5206 may be unavailable for a few hours, if this occurs please call the Forest Supervisors Office at 307-527-6241. If it becomes necessary to change the phone number, it will be posted on future updates and at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/shoshone/, or http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1439
Email gunbarrelfire@gmail.com if you'd like this update sent to you daily.
