Gilead Fire Update 9/14/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/14/2012
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 6350 Acres
Fire Containment 50%
Forest Service Area closure:The area closure and map are available at Bighorn NationalForest offices, www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/ andwww.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. Containment lines were constructed on the north, east, and southern flanks of the fire. On September 13 Chuck Russell transferred command of the fire to Geoff Bell's Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Closures: The Bighorn National Forest emergency closure has been revised. Closed Forest Service trails include Trails 040 (portion closed), 039, 043 (portion closed), 553, 549, 051, 550, 401, 131, and 041. Forest Service roads include FSR 396 (Rock Creek Road) from the junction of FT 042 north to its terminus at FT 550. FT 040 is closed from its junction with 034 southerly to its junction with FT 043.
Yesterday's events/actions: Crews on the ground provided structure protection and directed bucket drops as needed in the Ginger Cabin area. Low to moderate ground fire with occasional group torching was observed across the western flank as expected with the low relative humidity and wind. No major growth. There are no structures or homes threatened there.
Planned events/actions: Crews will continue to patrol containment lines, provide structure protection around Ginger's Cabin and monitor the western side of the fire. Resources continue be released when they are no longer needed.
Weather outlook: Drying trends continue with temperatures 74-79 degrees, with 7-13% relative humidity expected. Winds will be out of the northwest 5-15 miles per hour. Smoke will be visible today.
Current resources: One helicopter with a 6 person crew, one engine, and the Incident Command Team for approximately 24 personnel. The cost to date is $2.2 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; 29,678 hours of work with no injuries.
