August 16 Conger Creek Fire Daily Update
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/17/2007
head of Nesbit Creek to prevent the fire from flaring up in an
area where it could potentially spread into the Waldron Creek
drainage. Helicopters dipped water from the Blackleaf Wildlife
Management Area to cool spot fires burning at the very head of
the Blackleaf drainage. Sprinklers continued to be operated at
the Teton Pass Ski Area, the 7 Lazy P Guest Ranch facility near
the Cave Mountain Campground, and several Forest Service
backcountry cabins. The fire has burned to the north edge of
Teton Pass Ski Area, which remains intact. Helicopters assisted
fire crews who constructed a handline to control a 20 acre area
that was burning south of Elko campground.
Weather and Fire Behavior forecast for today: Moderate fire
spread is expected today due to predicted higher humidity and
clouds which will tend to shade the fire.
Today's Planned Actions: The top priorities for Friday are to
have helicopters drop water or retardant to cool the fire south of
the Elko Campground. Helicopters will monitor the spot fire at
the very head of the Blackleaf drainage. That spot fire had
stopped smoking Thursday after being doused by bucket drops.
Helicopters will continue to drop water on hot spots near the
perimeter. A dozer will construct five miles of line along the east
edge of an abandoned natural gas pipeline right-of-way in the
Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area. This line would only be
used in the event the fire moves out of the mountains.
Coordination with county officials and local fire departments is
ongoing with mutual protection contingency actions planned to
the east of the fire on the mountain front.
