Gunbarrel Fire Update 08/07/2008 AM
Incident: Gunbarrel Wildland Fire
Released: 8/7/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Gunbarrel Fire
Thursday August 7, 2008 9:00 A.M.
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A
Laura McConnell, Public Information Officer
Fire Information:
·1-866-588-5206 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
·1-866-588-5207 24 hour recorded message
Websites: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/shoshone/
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1439
Incident Email: gunbarrelfire@gmail.com
CLOSURES/EVACUATIONS
Evacuations:
·· Goff, Elephant Head and Crossed Sabers lodges have been evacuated.
·· Occupied Recreation Residence - East of Eagle Creek Campground
Closures:
·· The Fishhawk Trailhead is closed.
·· No access is being allowed into the Moss Creek cabins.
Yesterday an increase in relative humidities resulted in less active fire behavior. At the head of Libby Creek the fire "laid down" reducing the rates of spread to the point where a planned burnout was deemed unnecessary. Though the fire remained a mile and a half from the evacuated Elephant Head Lodge, Goff Creek Lodge and Crossed Sabers Ranch, it did move into the northern reaches of Mormon Creek. Firefighters continued their efforts to prepare structures by constructing firelines around the lodge buildings and installing sprinkler systems as precautionary measures.
Higher relative humidities are also expected for today that will grant firefighters further opportunity to mitigate structures well in advance of the fire's spread. Fire managers will make an assessment of the Moss Creek Summer home area in anticipation of lifting evacuations. Phone lines west of the fire area that were damaged during higher fire activity are currently being repaired.
Park County Sherrif's Department will continue control measures to keep traffic flowing safely along highway 14-16-20. Delays are possible. Campgrounds along the North Fork Highway remain open to the public until further notice. Three Mile Campground is closed for construction. Fishhawk trailhead located on the north side of the highway is closed but the trail that runs to the south of the highway is open.
Gunbarrel Fire Statistics at a Glance:
- Time/Date Started: July 26, 2008
- Location: 40 miles west of Cody, WY north of Hwy n. 14-16-20.
- Cause: Lightning
- Estimated Cost: $2,500,000
- Fuels: Heavy dead and down timber with 50-80% beetle killed trees in spruce/fir.
- Size: 34,770 acres.
- Resources Committed:
- 5 twenty-person hot shot crews, 2 heavy helicopters, 1 medium helicopters, 2 light helicopters, 15 engines, and approximately 343 personnel.
