Red Rock Fire update – Sept. 12, 2011
Using explosives to blast hazard trees off of Teepee Creek and the West Goosewing Trails this week
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
September 12, 2011
The Red Rock Fire is burning in the Gros Ventre Wilderness east of the Crystal Creek drainage and south of the Gros Ventre Road on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Status: Mostly creeping and smoldering fire behavior yesterday, with some small group torching along the eastern edge and some burning of residual fuels on the interior. The fire is currently in mixed conifer with heavy fuel loads of dead and down bug-killed trees. Point protection strategies are in place for values at risk that lie ahead of the fire. The Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire area has been lifted.
Travel within the Wilderness: Your Decision Point: Fire warning signs are posted at trailheads in the fire area. Although the area is not closed, it is your responsibility to know the hazards involved with Wilderness use and survival. Be sure to plan more than one travel route if needed to escape approaching fire. Near these fires you can expect to see torching trees, fire runs, fire spotting and smoke, as well as other hazardous conditions such as falling snags and hot stumpholes. Changing weather conditions can quickly change fire conditions. Please be alert!
Blasting: Blasting, to clear hazard trees along trails, will take placed on the Teepee Creek Trail TODAY (Monday) and on West Goosewing Trail on Tuesday. Please avoid these areas.
Be Careful:
►Firefighters, wearing yellow shirts, are on the roads and all through the woods in and around the Red Rock fire area. Hunters, be sure of your shot!
►Nights and early mornings are cool, but the days are warm and the Forest is dry and fire danger is high. Confine all campfires and insure that your fire is cold to the touch before you leave camp for the day.
►A 25 MPH speed limit has been posted for the Gros Ventre Road. It has narrow bends with blind corners and steep drop offs in some areas. Please drive with caution, pull off the road when stopping, and think twice before passing other vehicles. Roads may be slick when wet.
Objectives for the Fire:
Provide for safety of all personnel to the incident. Assure that the safety of fire fighter, aviation, support personnel and the public is the highest priority at all times for the duration of the incident.
Allow fire to play its natural role in the ecosystem as a process of ecological change.
Maintain a high degree of public trust through accurate and timely information sharing.
Utilize point protection to protect values at risk, coordinate with Teton and Sublette Counties regarding private property.
Keep the fire east of the Crystal Creek Road, south of the Gros Ventre River.
Minimize impacts to permit holders, property owners and the general public as possible.
Monday, Sept. 12 Strategy: Fire managers will continue to monitor the progression of the fire and hold firelines, while watching for spotting. Firefighters will work along the east side of the fire to keep it from crossing the Gros Ventre road and continue to patrol the Crystal Creek road. Air resources will be utilized as needed.
Forecast: Monday, Sept. 12: Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and t-storms afternoon, may produce gusty winds. Temps 57-65, min Rh 29-35%, upslope winds 5-9 mph shifting to W at 10 mph gusting to 15 mph, ridgetop W 10-15 mph.
Monday Night, Sept. 12: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers and t-storms until midnight, then partly cloudy with isolated showers and snow showers. Lows 37-45, winds downslope 4-7 mph, gusting to 10 mph until midnight, ridgetop N 10-15 mph, maximum Rh 76-82%.
Closures: Soda Lake is closed for overnight camping, but day use is permitted. All other campgrounds in the area remain open.
More Information:
Jenn D'Emilio
Public Information Officer
Bridger-Teton National Forest
307-739-5527
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