Alpine Lake Fire
Incident: Alpine Lake Wildfire
Released: 8/13/2012
Press Release - Alpine Lake Fire
Wind River Agency
August 13, 2012
Second Press Release of the Fire
Contact: Karl Brauneis, Public Information Officer
BIA Forestry Warehouse
307-332-4408
The Alpine Lake fire has grown to 218 acres as of Monday, August 13, 2012. The fire is burning in the Wind River Roadless Area of the Wind River Indian Reservation approximately 15 miles up drainage from Bull Lake Reservoir. The fire is adjacent to the Fitzpatrick Wilderness area of the Shoshone National Forest.
Three field observers are monitoring the fire from safe zones adjacent to the fire to help provide fire behavior and fire weather information in the development of a Long Term Management Strategy within the Fire Planning Area. A Long Term Fire Behavior Analyst and Strategic Operational Planner are also assigned to the fire. Due to safety concerns there are no firefighters engaged in suppression of the fire on the ground. Firefighter and public safety are key goals and objective in the management of the fire.
Helicopter water bucket drops were successful on Sunday, August 12th in holding a check line on the fires southern boundary. The bucket drops are designed to help keep the fire on the north side of Bull Lake Creek.
Bob Jones, Fire Management Officer on the Wind River Agency said "we can expect some fire movement today and tomorrow with the warm, dry weather. However, a cold front is expected to arrive over the fire late Tuesday evening. The front is forecasted to bring rain and snow to the area. The public can expect days of fire growth under favorable weather conditions and a turn down with cool and wet weather".
The fire is also being managed for resource benefits. Ivan Posey of the Shoshone Business Council stated "The Alpine Lake Fire is in direct line with our cultural traditions of using fire as a tool for stewardship of the creation. In particular, the Shoshone and Sheep Eater Indians used fire to enhance bighorn sheep and elk habitat in the same general area that the fire is burning. Bighorn sheep and elk are integral to our diet, our culture and hunting heritage".
For current updates on the fire visit the Alpine Lake Fire Site on inciweb.org or call the Bureau of Indian Affairs Forestry Warehouse at 307-332-4408.
