Update September 6
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/6/2012
Fire Information Phone 307-684-2161 or www.inciweb.org/incident/3220/
Fire Location Approximately 8 miles southwest of Story WY and
approximately 10 miles northwest of Buffalo, WY.
Cause Lightning
Size 4,200 Acres
Forest Service Area closure: The area closure and map are available at Bighorn National Forest offices, www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/ and www.inciweb.org/incident/3220/
Overview: The Gilead Fire began August 14 with a lightning strike on the Bighorn National Forest. The San Juan Hotshots, a helicopter, and local firefighters reconned the fire, determining that the terrain precluded putting firefighters on the ground. Helicopter bucket drops continued for the better part of two weeks. On August 29 the fire grew from 15 acres to 700 acres. Chuck Russell's Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire on August 30.
Closures: The Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Unit is closed to public use. Within the Bighorn National Forest the following trails and roads are closed: ∙Forest Service trails 040, 039, 043, 010, 553, 549, 051, 550, 401, 042, 133, 106, 084, and 041. ∙Forest Service roads include FSR 396 from the junction with FSR 399 and FSR 388 in its entirety.
Yesterday's events/actions: Progress continued on the northeast flank. The dozer line was completed south to Cougar Canyon. Structure protection continued around Ginger's Cabin. Firefighters removed hunters camp from the vicinity of Ginger's Cabin. Night patrols monitored the fire perimeter.
Planned events/actions: Crews will improve line on the eastern flank and remove pockets of unburned fuel. Construction of dozer line on the southeast flank will extend to the south. Firefighters will continue structure protection at Ginger's Cabin. Night operations will patrol and maintain public awareness. Structure assessments will continue south of the fire toward Paradise and Hunter Mesa.
Weather outlook: A cold front moved through the region overnight bringing higher humidity and lower temperatures. Showers are possible today and into the evening.
Current resources: Additional resources continue to arrive. Four helicopters (one light, two medium, and one heavy) Three hotshot crews, one five-person fuel module, two Type 2 crews, 14 engines, two dozers, and one water tender, for a total of 191 personnel are assigned to the fire. A mobile fire retardant base has been set up in Buffalo to allow for quicker turnaround times to the fire for a retardant plane. Cost to date is $1.2 million.
Fire danger: Extreme - conditions are very dry
Firefighter injuries: None
