Packer Creek Fire at 300 acres
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
August 3, 2013
Firefighters continued to fight the Packer Creek Fire near Bondurant on Saturday (August 3rd) as efforts focused on full fire suppression, safety and protecting structures in the area.
The fire was last estimated at 300 acres (as of 8:14PM) burning in heavy timber, dead trees and downfall, on a ridge between the north Beaver Creek and the Little Twin Creek drainages, approximately 22 miles north of the Daniel Junction. The fire is burning on the Pinedale Ranger District of the Forest in the Packer Creek area.
An estimated 100 firefighters were expected to be fighting the fire with a number of air and ground resources helping with the effort. The fire was active on Saturday with temperatures 70 -77 degrees, winds up to 15 mph. and relative humidity at 13-19%.
Managers for the incident said that five fire fighting engines were helping with fire fighting, including four engines from Sublette County. Two helicopters were helping with water drops, three hotshot crews were working on the ground, and eight smokejumpers were also working on the fire. Up to six air tankers were expected on the incident with additional ground crews ordered.
The fire was discovered August 2 and was fought with a number of air resources on Friday, including two Type I air tankers, three fixed-wing firefighting aircraft; including the "fire boss" aircraft, which is able to obtain water from nearby New Fork Lake for firefighting; a Type III helicopter, and two other aircraft needed for guiding firefighting aircraft.
The Packer Miner Road (FS Roads #606, 607, 608, & 609) is closed at the forest boundary for public safety. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will be assuming command of the fire on Sunday, August 4.
Call 307-413-0285 or visit www.tetonfires.com for more information and related links.
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