Fontenelle Fact Sheet for July 20, 2012
Incident: Fontenelle Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/20/2012
Fontenelle Fire Fact Sheet for Friday, July 20, 2012
This will be the last daily fact sheet; however, fact sheets will be distributed for significant events.
Updated information will continue to be available on www.inciweb.org and www.tetonfires.com.
Status: The Fontenelle Fire began on June 24, 2012 and is located approximately 18 miles west of Big Piney, Wyoming, mainly in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and BLM High Desert District with some state and private lands affected. The fire is creeping in heavy, dead timber with occasional areas of grass and sage in the lower elevations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire Statistics: 64,083 acres burned or 100 square miles | 87% contained | 117 personnel
Recent Events: Creeping fire behavior continues in all divisions with isolated single and group tree torching. Mop-up operations and the improvement of existing fire lines remains a priority.
Today's Strategy: Continue fire line rehabilitation as well as road clearing and repairs. Monitor, patrol and improve control lines.
Infrared flights have helped locate areas of heat within the fire perimeter. Firefighters are prioritizing and seeking out these hot spots based on threats to the current containment line.
Variable fire severity within the fire's perimeter resulted in a mosaic burn pattern. While some areas saw extreme fire behavior that consumed all available vegetation, other portions were burned less severely or not at all. Smoke will be visible in the coming months as the fire creeps through unburned vegetation. Firefighters will monitor the fire throughout the summer to ensure that the isolated, interior fire activity stays within the existing perimeter.
Forecast: Slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels are expected.
Closures: The closure order has been lifted in certain areas; the following roads and trails are now open:
· Middle Piney Road to the summer homes and Middle Piney Lake;
· The road north from Middle Piney to Bare Pass;
· South Piney Road to Snyder Basin and over Thompson Pass to LaBarge Creek;
· LaBarge Creek Road.
Note: Indian Creek-Coal Creek Road through Fish Creek from Middle Piney to South Piney at Snyder Basin remains CLOSED.
The public is urged to use caution when entering the fire area as there will be fire-related traffic and the possibility of limited vision due to smoke.
