Gunbarrel Fire Update 08/13/08
Incident: Gunbarrel Wildland Fire
Released: 8/13/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Gunbarrel Fire
Wednesday, August 13, 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
Community Meeting being held at the Old Wapiti Ranger Station at 11:00 am
for lodge owners and local residents affected by the Gunbarrel Fire.
A significant growth of the fire occurred early in the evening on the east end of the fire as interior islands in Turret and Grizzly Creeks ignited. During the day fire resources were working to improve the mitigation of hazardous fuels around protection points on the south side of the highway near Kitty Creek. Similar management actions have taken place on 160 structures on the outskirts of the North Absaroka Wilderness area. The management plan known as a Wildland Fire Implementation Plan recognizes 342 structures in the area and outlines actions to take around these structures should the fire reach predetermined points.
Throughout the incident results of the Gunbarrel Fire appear favorable to the over health and reintroduction of fire into the ecosystem. "We will continue to be diligent and manage this fire with caution - firefighter and public safety remains our number one priority" stated Incident Commander Don Angell.
Today the members of the Rocky Mountain Type II Incident Management Team and key supervisors from the Shoshone National Forest will conduct a community meeting. The meeting will address the current fire activity and share long term management strategies. Firefighters will continue with structural hazard fuels reduction should the fire pose a more direct threat in the future.
Highway 14/16/20 remains open however can be affected by smoke from the fire at times. Officials ask that travelers drive with caution and use their headlights.
Gunbarrel Fire Statistics at a Glance:
- Time/Date Started: July 26, 2008
- Location: 40 miles west of Cody, WY north of Hwy 14-16-20.
- Cause: Lightning
- Estimated Cost: $4,270,000
- Fuels: Heavy dead and down timber with 50-80% beetle killed trees in spruce/fir.
- Size: 39,475 acres.
- Resources Committed:
- 1 twenty-person hot shot crew, 1 type two crew, 1 heavy helicopter, 1 medium helicopter 1 light helicopter,
- 6 engines and approximately 166 personnel.
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