Gilead Fire Update 9/11/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/11/2012
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 5760 Acres
Fire Containment 45%
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: Resources were prepositioned around the fire perimeter in anticipation of a red flag warning. No helicopters were utilized due to gusty winds. The western flank had insignificant burning and all containment lines were held. There was no threat to homes on the east side of the fire. Perimeter monitoring continued, however crews were pulled out of trees and into safe areas due to falling snag hazards.
Planned events/actions: Resources will once again be staged around the fire today in anticipation of the weather event. Direct line construction will continue on the southwest flank of the fire.
Weather outlook: A red flag warning will be in effect through midnight tonight. 5-15 mph winds from the northwest, are expected with temperatures of 62-67 degrees.
Current resources: Two helicopters two hot shot crews, one five-person fuel module, one Hand Crews, five engines, one water tender and 47 support personnel are assigned to the fire, for a total of 187 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 $2.0 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; 24,000 hours of work with no injuries.
