Gunbarrel Fire Update 8/12/2008
Incident: Gunbarrel Wildland Fire
Released: 8/12/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Gunbarrel Fire
Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Laura McConnell, Public Information Officer
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A
NEW PHONE: 1-866-588-5206
Websites: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/shoshone/
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1439
Incident Email: gunbarrelfire@gmail.com
Resource Benefit: One of the primary resource benefits of managing a fire as Wildland Fire Use is the reintroduction of fire in a part of the forest that has been without this natural disturbance for too long. The absence of fire activity in large areas across the forest has resulted in heavy, dangerous fuel accumulation. Managing natural fire such as Gunbarrel under favorable conditions decreases the potential for future large, out of control fires and promotes a healthy ecosystem.
Point Protection: The top priority is public and firefighter safety. Other objectives include minimizing fire impacts to the improvements along the North Fork of the Shoshone. The Shoshone National Forest Wildfire Implementation Plan includes 127 identified structures that have been secured and prepped for future actions if needed.
North Fork Hwy: Hwy 14-16-20 is open.
Fire Activity: Fire behavior varied significantly over the fire area yesterday. Ridgetops and other exposed areas experience some very active fire behavior primarily in the upper end of Sweetwater Creek. Areas sheltered from the wind continue to smolder and creep with occasional single tree torching.
Area Closure: An Emergency Area Closure is in effect prohibiting entry into the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect human life and provide for firefighter and public safety during firefighting and mop-up operations during the Gunbarrel Fire.
Staffing: 1 twenty-person hot shot crew, 1 type two crew, 1 heavy helicopter, 1 light helicopter,
6 engines, and approximately 188 personnel.
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