Wind helps fan fires, but none threaten homes

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

By Ben Cannon

Despite recent rain, somewhat cooler temperatures and increased humidity across much of western Wyoming, a handful of lightning-caused wildfires, aided by wind, continue to grow, with one more new one discovered Tuesday.

Though fire danger on the Bridger-Teton National Forest is now rated high, just one notch down from extreme, the most severe rating seen earlier this year, Wyoming on the whole continues to fair better than Montana and Idaho, where less rain and riper burning conditions have led to some very large fires.

Nationwide, the country is at preparedness level 5, meaning nearly all firefighting resources have been mobilized and local and regional firefighters, stretched thin, aim to put down new fires in crucial initial attacks, using helicopter operations when possible.
“Right now there is a real crunch for getting firefighters,” said Mary Cernicek, a public affairs officer with Bridger Teton.

Though recent rains over the last few weeks have helped abate bone-dry conditions, a few days of dry winds do more to draw out moisture than days of sustained heat, she said, worsening conditions for fire. And in a region where rampant pine beetle kill can leave strands of dead trees as volatile tinder, wind-driven wildfire can spread quickly and widely.

Jackson Hole saw hazy conditions in recent days, and last weekend especially, making for smoky mountain vistas and red-orange sunsets. Though a number of fires continue to burn around Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, much of the thick haze that drifted into the valley Saturday came from the Middle Fire, burning in Bridger-Teton National Forest about 10 miles southeast of the Alpine Junction.

The Middle Fire had spread to about 3,000 acres by late Tuesday and is moving northeast. Its direction and the natural barrier of the Snake River mean the wildfire does not pose any likely threat to homes in the foreseeable future. A Type II team out of Washington state was expected to arrive on the scene Tuesday evening.

The Hardscrabble Fire, about 30 miles northwest of Dubois, had spread to about 3,000 acres by midday Tuesday. At that time, the fire was 35 percent contained. After a few volatile days, favorable conditions slowed the blaze’s growth on Monday.

A Type II response team from northern Arizona arrived on the scene Tuesday morning to establish an incident command center. Highway 26 and Togwotee Pass had been eyed for closure, with major ongoing roadwork in the area, but remained open as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Columbine Fire in Yellowstone National Park had grown to 10,000 acres Tuesday. Though the fire led to the closure of the East Entrance of Yellowstone on Sunday, the road reopened Tuesday morning, with officials saying the wildfire poses no threat to park visitors traveling on or near the East Entrance road. All entrances, roads and services in the park remain open.

For more western Wyoming wildfire updates, go to www.planetjh.com over the course of
the week.
PERMALINK:
Wind helps fan fires, but none threaten homes | Planet JH News Article: General Environment

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