Gunbarrel Fire Update 8-31-08
Incident: Gunbarrel Wildland Fire
Released: 8/31/2008
Date started: July 26, 2008 Cause: Lightning
Location: 30 miles west of Cody, WY Size: 61,923 acres
Percent Contained: 55% Estimated Containment: October 15, 2008
Number of Personnel: 476 Helicopters: 8
Cost to Date: $9,860,899 Injuries to Date: 3
General Information
The Gunbarrel Fire is under the management of Paul Broyles' Great Basin National Incident Management Team. The Incident Command Post is located at Buffalo Bill State Park. The Gunbarrel Fire is currently burning on lands administered by the Shoshone National Forest.
Yesterday's Activity
Fire activity was again moderate with little perimeter growth. Most of the active fire behavior remains in the Jim Creek and Trout Creek areas where it continued burning out some interior pockets of bug-killed trees. Heavy helicopters were used to hold the fire south of the drainage divide in Robber's Roost Creek and to slow the spread to the south and east in Meyers Creek. The fire remains several miles east of the Rattlesnake and Dead Indian Creek drainages. Crews continued mop-up operations along areas of the North Fork Road corridor. Crews began retrieving pumps and hoses from areas of the fire where they are no longer needed and made them available for initial attack response. Several engines patrolled the fire during the final night shift of operations.
Today's Planned Activity
The forecasted weather conditions for lower temperatures and higher humidities should significantly reduce fire activity. Firefighters will focus efforts on securing fire line in the Robbers' Roost Creek drainage to slow its northward spread. Structure protection efforts will remain in place in all areas of the fire as needed. Helicopter support will aid their efforts as weather conditions permit. Crews will continue retrieving pumps and hoses from areas of the fire where they are no longer needed.
Today's Forecasted Weather
A cooling trend will move into the area today bringing with it a chance of precipitation over areas of the fire. These weather conditions are expected to significantly reduce fire activity.
Temperatures: Mid 60's
Humidities: 25-35%
Winds: Out of the southwest at 8-10 mph.
Closures/Advisories/Evacuations
There are no evacuation advisories associated with the fire at this time. The North Fork Corridor Road from Cody to Yellowstone (Highways 14-16-20) is open. All business along the road have resumed normal operations. Call specific business for more details. The closure area on the Shoshone National Forest extends from the Sweetwater Drainage to the forest boundary and north almost to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Check with the Shoshone National Forest for more details about forest closures at 307-527-6921.
