Little Horse Thief Canyon Wildlife Update, Sat. 11:10p.m.
Incident: Horsethief Canyon Wildfire
Released: 9/9/2012
The Little Horse Thief Canyon wildfire, that started around 3pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012 is 10% contained as Saturday, 10:00p.m. The fire has currently burned between 700-750 acres. Fire officials have identifed their primary objectives to include the protection of structures and infrastructure, the protection of South Highway 89, and Snow King.
Residents of Deer Drive, Elk Drive and Horse Thief Lane were allowed to return to their homes at approximately 8:00p.m. Residents in affected areas are advised there will continue to be firefighter emergency vehicle and heavy machinery activity throughout the night;. BE ALERT FOR EVACUATION ORDERS DURING THE NIGHT. There is an interagency effort in place with 4 engines, 2 tenders 3 helicopters and 3 tankers. The fire is currently at 400 acres and growing. The fire is moving south towards Game Creek Drainage. There is no immediate threat to Game Creek. There is no immediate threat to Snow King. There are no structures threatened. The Incident Commander is Willy Watsabaugh from Jackson Hole Fire/ EMS. This Interagency effort includes apparatus from Bridger-Teton National Forest, Jackson Hole Fire EMS, and Grand Teton National Park. Multiple handcrews have been ordered. A Type 2 Team has been requested for Sunday evening. All the animals have been removed from the Animal Shelter. Highway 89 remains open. There are no roads effected by this fire. The Town of Jackson remains open for business.
The residents in the Game Creek drainage are encouraged to begin preplanning for potential evacuation on Sunday. While there isn't an evacuation in effect for Game Creek residents are asked to begin assembling nonreplaceable items. Things to do during a wildfire to ready your family for a potential evacuation include:
1) make arrangements for any animals and livestock
2) back your car into the driveway for a quick exit should it become necessary
3) load your vehicle with photographs, irreplaceable paper work, lap top computers
4) assemble any pets into one room or a confined area so you can gather them and remove them quickly if necessary
Additional preparatory information can be found at www.firewise.org. Game Creek residents should continue to monitor www.inciweb.org for updates.
There is no expected time of when the evacuations will be lifted.
At 6:15pm a Heavy airtanker dropped nearly 3000 gallons of retardant on the hillside. Retardant doesn't stop a wildfire, but it does provide firefighting crews on the ground a chance to engage the fire more directly and help control the direction of the blaze. 2 additional heacy airtankers are enroute to assist the fire. 1 large helicopter is also ordered.
Traffic on Highway 89 is encouraged to keep moving. Motorists may be distracted by the activity in the air and in proximity of the fire. Those driving along the highway should be very aware of their surroundings and watch out for distracted drivers.
The next will be posted to this page by 9:00a.m. Sunday.
