Alpine Lake Fire Press Release of August 15th
Incident: Alpine Lake Wildfire
Released: 8/15/2012
Press Release - Alpine Lake Fire
Wind River Agency
August 15, 2012
Fourth Press Release of the Fire
Contact: Karl Brauneis, Public Information Officer
Forestry Warehouse at 307-332-4408 or cell phone at 307-349-6654
The Alpine Lake Fire grew to 1,342 acres on Tuesday, August 14th due to high winds and favorable burning conditions in front of the present cold front moving over the valley. Cooler temperatures and the possibility of moisture this evening should limit fire growth today.
Of particular concern is the amount of smoke in the Wind River Valley. Chris Jones of the National Weather Service office in Riverton stated that "the heavy smoke in the valley is mainly due to the fires in Idaho. Earlier we were also getting smoke from Northern Nevada and Northern California. The normal south-west flow of wind will in part keep the smoke from the Alpine Lake Fire to the north of us above Crowheart. That of course can change with a passing cold front".
Cold fronts will in general shift the wind direction to the north-west and can cause smoke from the Alpine Lake Fire to move into the valley. The forecast model shows a more north-east wind movement for today. This could make the fire's smoke column more visible from the Lander - Riverton area.
Visitors to the Wind River Indian Reservation are reminded that the fire restrictions passed on June 29, 2012 remain in effect. In addition, the Saint Lawrence Basin trail head is also signed for public information concerning the trail closure into the fire area from Windy Ridge on into Deadman and Alpine Lake.
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.
