Gilead Fire Update 09/09/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/9/2012
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 5720 Acres - Acreage changes are due to more accurate mapping.
Fire Containment 40%
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 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: Crews continued to make good progress. Firelines on the eastern flank were improved. A spike camp was set up in Firebox Park to support crews constructing direct line on the southern flank. Helicopters made bucket drops on the southern flank. A public meeting in Buffalo, WY was attended by 41 community members.
Planned events/actions: Construction of direct containment lines will be continued on the southwest corner of the fire with bucket work supporting crews constructing line. Smoke and flames from the interior of the fire may continue to be visible to the public.
Weather outlook: Temperatures will be in the mid 70's - low 80's with winds out of the northwest by late morning. Winds will increase Sunday night. Warming and drying trends continue.
Current resources: Five helicopters (two light, two medium, and one heavy), three hotshot crews, one five-person fuel module, two Type 2IA crews, five engines, two dozers, two water tenders and 46 support personnel are assigned to the fire, for a total of 210 personnel. 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 $1.5 million.
Fire danger: Extreme - conditions are very dry. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Bighorn NF. See www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/ for further information.
Firefighter injuries: None; 15,806 hours of work with no injuries.
