Wildfire News
Smoke from Idaho and Montana fires reaching us in Pinedale
by Pinedale Online!
September 4, 2007
Fire season is still in full swing across the United States with the most intense fire activity occurring in Idaho and Montana. California, Oregon and Washington also have fires burning. On Labor Day Monday, firefighters were sent out on initial attack on 236 new fires which burned 35,324 acres across the country. Currently, there are 33 fires and complexes over 500 acres in size. The Bridger-Teton National Forest still has several old fires that are in monitor and patrol status.
Montana: There are 15 fires burning in Montana. The largest is the Sawmill Complex which consists of four fires burning twenty-two miles southeast of Missoula, MT in timber and grass. These fires have consumed 61,216 acres and is currently 22% contained Evacuations are in effect with 212 structures threatened.
Idaho: The Rattlesnake Fire is burning twenty-five miles south of Elk City, ID in timber and grass and is 98,500 acres in size. Extreme fire behavior was observed, with residences threatened. This fire is 25% contained. The 42,250 acre-Bridge Fire consists of two fires burning forty-five miles southwest of Missoula, MT in timber and brush. Torching and medium-range spotting was observed. This fire is advancing into Montana.
Wyoming: The 77 Mile Fire is burning is burning eight miles northwest of Manville, Wyoming in timber and grass. It is 2,800 acres in size. The 8,082-acre Bone Fire, which started in mid-August, is burning 33 miles northeast of Greybull on the Big Horn National Forest.
Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming: The Granite Fire is still burning in the Granite Creek drainage of the Hoback, between Pinedale and Jackson. It is a little over 1700 acres in size and 40% contained. The Salt Lick Fire in the Upper Green is still burning 31 miles north of Pinedale (west of Green River Lakes and Square Top Mountain) and is 80% contained. These fires on the Bridger-Teton NF are not expected to be completely out until the snow flies. Fire danger is currently MODERATE on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Yellowstone National Park: Four fires are burning in Yellowstone National Park, being allowed to burn for resource benefit, posing no threat to people or property. None of the fires in the park pose a threat to visitors. All park entrances and roads are open to the public.
All camping, lodging, restaurants, stores, service stations, and visitor centers inside the park are open. Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Dry and windy weather is forecasted for northeast California, the northern Great Basin, northern Wyoming and the Northern Rockies. A cold front will move across the northwest quarter of the country today (Tuesday, September 4) with dry and windy conditions out ahead of it. Wet thunderstorms are expected in eastern Oregon, the northern Great Basin, western Montana and southern California. The Southeast will be mostly dry with thundershowers over the Gulf Coast states.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect for southwest Idaho, southeast Oregon, north and central Idaho, southern Montana, northwest South Dakota, northern Wyoming, Santa Barbara coast in California, and north Florida, southeast Alabama, and southwest Georgia for gusty winds and low humidities today.
Fire Weather Watches are in effect for western and northern Montana, north central Idaho, east and central Idaho, and northeast Montana.
Related Links:
National Large Fire Map National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
National Incident Information Center (NIIC)
Inciweb Incident Information System
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