Approximate Location
Incident Overview
All public use closures and road closures for the Alpine Lake Fire were lifted at noon on Saturday, September 29, 2012. The Wind River Agency recommends that the public avoid entering the fires actual burn area. The public is reminded that access on the Wind River Indian Reservation is in accordance with Tribal Fish and Game regulations and travel is at your own risk.
Wet and cool weather moved into the fire area on September 23rd. By Wednesday, September the 26th, between 1/2 to 3/4 inches of moisture had fallen over the fire area. Demobilization of resources is taking place and the fire camp has been moved from Crowheart to Fort Washakie. The fire will continue to be managed and suppressed at specific Management Action Points.
The Alpine Lake Fire is burning in the Wind River Roadless area of the Wind River Indian Reservation adjacent to and within National Forest System Lands in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. Due to rugged and in-accessable terrain the fire is being managed under the Wind River Wildland Fire Management Plan for firefighter and public safety and resource benefits.
The fire was first reported at 40 acres and has burned up to 46,184 acres by the morning of September 26, 2012. The estimated time of start is at or about August 7, 2012. The cause of the fire is lightning.
The fire began burning at the 9 to 10,000 foot elevation zone in Lodgepole Pine, Whitebark Pine and Spruce-Fir with rock and needle cast and has progressed down and onto the grass and sage brush prairie at 6,000 feet. Supression activities will focus in the sage-grass rangelands as the fire burns downslope out of the mountains.
Approximately 530 acres of the Shoshone National Forest have burned within the Fitzpatrick Wilderness as of September 19th.
The fire restrictions passed by the Wind River Agency and the Joint Business Council of June 29, 2012 have been amended to allow for open campfires. However, due to the High fire danger within the lower valley, the remaining fire restrictions will remain in place until further notice. In particular, open burning is not allowed.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Tuesday August 07th, 2012 approx. 04:00 PM |
| Location | T.1N,R.6W, Sections 14 and 15 |
| Incident Commander | Ervin Brown |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 27 |
|---|---|
| Size | 46,184 acres |
| Estimated Containment Date | Thursday November 15th, 2012 approx. 04:00 PM |
| Fuels Involved | The Alpine Lake Fire is burning in Lodgepole pine, Whitebark Pine, Engleman Spruce, Sub-Alpine Fir and needlecast in rock. At lower elevations the fire has burned onto open sage brush and grass range lands. |
| Fire Behavior | Surface fire and smoldering. |
| Significant Events | All public use fire area closures and road closures were lifted at noon on Saturday, September 29, 2012. The significant fire runs of August 13th, 14th, 24th, 25th, 29th and September 4th, 5th, 14th and 15th have demonstrated how active the fire can become when in alignment. Due to numerous draws and canyons the fire can move in several directions and develop multiple heads. This type of fire behavior is not uncommon for large fires burning in the Wind River Mountains. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Ervin Brown's local Type IV Team is now manging the fire under the Wind River Agency. Moist and cool weather began moving over the fire area on October 5th. All divisions are in a holding action and the fire camp has been relocated to Fort Washakie. Demobilization of resources continues. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | The fire has burned approximately 530 acres on National Forest System lands in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness area. |
| Terrain Difficulty | The terrain dificulty is extreme with rock and cliff barriers. |
| Remarks | Fire supression includes hot spotting and mop up adjacent to natural barriers. |
