Gilead Fire Update 9/18/2012
Incident: Gilead Wildfire
Released: 9/18/2012
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 8028 Acres
Fire Containment 38%
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. Suppression efforts have continued since with emphasis on firefighter safety, public safety, and structure protection. Chuck Russell's Type Three Incident Command Team is managing the fire.
Closures: The Bighorn National Forest emergency closure is in effect for the following area. 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: Two Hot Shot crews constructed direct hand line along the south flank of the fire. Helicopters were utilized along the south flank for bucket drops. Efforts were made to secure two helispots used to shuttle firefighters into the area of the south flank.
Planned events/actions: Crews will continue to build and strengthen containment lines and direct helicopter bucket drops to slow fire growth on the south flank. Engines and other resources are in the area of Paradise Guest Ranch for structure protection if needed.
Weather outlook: Today's forecast calls for moderate northwest winds with gusts to 20 mph, humidity in the upper teens, with warmer temperatures in the 66 to 71 degree range. Due to hotter and drier weather there could be more smoke visible on the fire today.
Current resources: Three helicopters; the Roosevelt, Tatanka, and Alpine hotshots; four engines; and the Incident Management Team. An additional hotshot crew will arrive today. The cost to date is $2.3 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; 32,006 hours of work with no injuries.
