Gilead Fire Update 9/7/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/7/2012
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 5300 Acres
Fire Containment 5%
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/
A Public Meeting in Story, WY is scheduled tonight, September 7, 2012 at 5 PM at the Story Fire Hall.
Overview: The Gilead Fire began August 14 with a lightning strike on the Bighorn NF. The San Juan Hotshots, a helicopter and local firefighters re-conned 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, trails and roads are closed. Forest Service trails include Trails 040, 039, 043, 010, 553, 549, 051, 550, 401, 042, 133, 106, 084, and 041. Forest Service roads include FSR 396 (Rock Creek Road) from the junction with FSR 399 (South Rock Creek Road), and FSR 388 (Keno Creek Road) in its entirety.
Yesterday's events/actions: Aerial ignitions were completed to reinforce firelines along the eastern flank of the fire. These actions created significant smoke throughout the area. Continued progress was made to hold and improve lines increasing firefighting safety and move towards containment. Inversions hampered aerial resources until mid- morning.
Planned events/actions: If weather allows, ignitions will be continued to bring fire to more favorable terrain and fuels. Structural assessment continues for areas south of the fire towards Paradise Guest Ranch and Hunter Mesa.
Weather outlook: Cool weather with higher humidities will continue through today, while Saturday will be warmer and drier with humidities in the teens.
Current resources: Four helicopters (one light, two medium, and one heavy), three hotshot crews, one five-person fuel module, two Type 2 crews, fourteen engines, two dozers, and one water tender, for a total of 221 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 $1.3 million.
Fire danger: Extreme - conditions are very dry. State 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn NF. See www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/ for further information.
Firefighter injuries: None
