Gilead Fire Update 9/16/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/16/2012
Fire Information Phone 307-684-4630
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 7800 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. On September 15, Geoff Bell will transferred command to a new Incident Commander, Scott McConchie.
Closures: The Bighorn National Forest emergency closure has been revised. Forest Service trails include 040 (portion closed), 039, 043, (portion closed), 010, 553, 549, 051, 550,042,133,106,084, 401, 131, and 041. Forest Service roads include 396 from its junction FSR 399 and FRS 388 in its entirety. FT 040 is closed from its junction with FT 034 southerly to its junction with FT 043. The southern boundary of the closure area is FT 042 from the Bighorn National Forest boundary west to FR 396, westerly to FR 399, westerly along FT 007 and 219 to the junction of FT 030.
Yesterday's events/actions: Crews on the ground directed bucket drops as needed along the southern flank. Active fire with occasional torching was observed on the southern and western flank due to the low relative humidity and wind. Most movement occurred in the south. There are no structures or homes threatened there.
Planned events/actions: Crews will continue to patrol containment lines and direct helicopter bucket drops to slow fire growth.
Weather outlook: Today's forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, and higher relative humidity of 13-18% and possible scattered showers. Northwest winds 10 - 18 miles per hour with gusts to 24 miles per hour.
Current resources: Two helicopters with crews, one engine, and the Incident Command Team. 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; 30,535 hours of work with no injuries.
