Horsethief Canyon Fire Update
Incident: Horsethief Canyon Wildfire
Released: 9/21/2012
Horsethief Canyon Fire UpdateFriday, September 21, 2012Contact Fire Information 307.739.5577HorsethiefCanyonFire@gmail.com
Size: 3,373 acresPercent Contained: 91Resources: 4 Crews; 2 Helicopters; 9 EnginesTotal Personnel: 262Cost to Date: $7.9 million Smoke from Idaho hangs heavy over the nearly contained Horsethief Canyon fire. Although the static weather pattern has brought pervasive smoke from the northwest, these same patterns have made it possible for resources to bring the fire closer to full containment. Clean up and back haul began yesterday from the Game Creek area where fireline rehab work has also started. Full containment is expected early next week. Today, crews will continue to secure the existing lines and develop containment on the remaining portions of the fire as access and terrain permits. Fire behavior remains as static as the weather with moderate activity in the ground fuels that is unlikely to make its way into the trees. Isolated pockets of unburned fuels still exist within the fire's perimeter that wouldn't affect the size or containment of the fire if they were to ignite, but they may continue to produce smoke in the coming days. Rehabilitation of firelines and burned areas will continue as a means to assist in the restoration of the affected areas. Efforts will seek to address public safety concerns, the rebuilding of trails as well as environmental considerations that will reduce potential erosion problems. The Elk Refuge Road is now open to all traffic, with no restrictions. Please maintain awareness, however, as two helicopters will continue to work from there for the time being. A reduced closure order is expected to be signed today. This information will be provided as soon as it is available. In the meantime, several trails within the area closure have been reopened by the Bridger-Teton National Forest. These trails are: Snow King Mountain trail to the top of Cougar Lift, Sink or Swim Trail from Snow King Resort to Josie's Ridge, KC Trail, Josie's Ridge trail up to 7200' elevation, and access trails between Snow King Resort and Josie's Ridge, including Shade Monkey, Wildlife Lane trailhead access and Flat Creek trailhead access. For additional information, visit http://inciweb.org/incident/3241/ or http://www.tetonfires.com/. Sign up at http://www.nixle.com/ for emergency updates from Teton County. With the direct threat of the Horsethief fire abating, all homeowners are encouraged to take actions to make their homes more survivable against wildfire. Information can be found at http://www.firewise.org/. Please remember that open burn restrictions are still in place. Tomorrow will be the last day that information staff is on hand at Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor's Office Log Cabin at 340 North Cache. Information will continue to be available online. Please note, the fire information center will now close at 7 p.m.
