Update for August 31, 2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 8/31/2012
Fire information
Phone 307.684.7331
www.inciweb.org/incident/3220/
Fire location
On the Bighorn National Forest
About 2 miles west of Stone Mountain
About 10 miles northwest of Buffalo, Wyo.
Estimated size
730 acres - reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping
Cause
Lightning
Public meetings: 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 1, at the Fire Hall in Story
7:00 pm, Sunday, September 2, at the Fairgrounds Community Building in Buffalo
Overview: The Gilead Fire was started by lightning on August 14. The fire is burning in lodgepole pine in a remote area characterized by very rough and rocky terrain.
Safety concerns preclude firefighters on the ground. Though there is no immediate threat to structures, structure protection is a priority and preparations are ongoing to protect them. Bighorn National Forest fire managers are working closely with Johnson County emergency management and fire control district officials.
Planned actions: This is an extremely remote, rugged area with continuous heavy fuels. Direct attack by ground crews is not possible. Firefighters are constructing indirect line in the event the fire comes out of the inaccessible terrain into an area where the fire can be suppressed safely. Structures are being assessed and prepared for protection. Aerial resources are being utilized and prepositioned to assist ground crews. Fire managers continue to assess areas ahead of the fire for potential suppression actions.
Smoke: Smoke will be visible today.
Weather outlook: A red flag warning today through Saturday. Temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s. Dry thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast, ideal conditions for new fires to start and existing fires to grow. Some rain is possible later in the day into the evening.
Current resources: Two engines, one light helicopter, the five-person Bighorn fire module, a 10-person hand crew, two dozers, for a total of 50 personnel assigned to the fire. Other resources, including a heavy helicopter, hand crews, and engines have been ordered. Resources are limited and will be assigned based on priority. A mobile fire retardant base is being set up in Buffalo to allow for quicker turnaround times to the fire for a retardant plane.
Fire danger: Extreme - conditions are very dry
Evacuations/injuries: None
