Teton Interagency Fire

The Pack Trail Fire is a human caused fire burning in light timber, ground fuels such as downed logs and grasses. This fire is located approximately 1/2 mile east of Smiths Fork road, 1 1/2 miles from Bridger-Teton NF boundary and Hwy 89. Fire personnel took suppression action. Statistically there have been 19 human caused fires this year, thus far, including the Pack Trail Fire.

A local commuter traveling through the Snake River canyon witnessed the lightning bolt responsible for the start of the Station Fire. Located on the north side of the road, this small fire started in a single tree on a very steep slope. Heavy rain over the weekend put the fire out.

The fire was reported by fishermen on both Sept. 4 and 5 burning in a dead tree and grass but putting up little smoke. Fire crews located it on Sept. 6 and suppressed it. The location is up river and west of Schwabachers Landing.

Fire crews suppressed the fire, which ignited in a timbered area and spotted in surrounding timber. Two helicopters, the 20-person Teton Interagency handcrew and an engine responded Sept. 4. While the fire was burning in an area where natural fire is beneficial, park fire management decided to take suppression action due to very high fire danger and limited available resources.

Continued warm and dry weather conditions allowed this fire to grow to 15 acres before crews were able to apply a combination of hose and hand line around the fire’s perimeter. The fire was primarily burning in grass, sage and mature aspen trees. Five other small fires were suppressed the same evening and are currently under investigation.

The Berry Fire is located east and west of Elk Ridge between Owl and Berry Creeks. It was burning in a mixture of dead and down fuels and mature conifer forest.

The Berry Fire was managed to protect people and property, enhance the area’s natural resources where appropriate, and safely and effectively utilize firefighting resources.

Just one of the multiple fire starts as a result from the afternoon lightning storm on August 18th. The Sheep Mountain fire was burning in a mixture of dead and down started in a single tree, surrounded by a green meadow. The Forest Service engages wildfires in ways that reduce risk to firefighter and public safety, property, infrastructure, and valuable natural and cultural resources. When conditions are right, the agency may manage all or part of some lightning caused fires to reduce hazardous fuels, improve habitat, and achieve other natural resource management objectives consistent with FS fire season and local Land Management Plan (LMP) direction. Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes and the FS is working with partners to restore healthy, resilient, fire-adapted ecosystems.

Forest Service employees discovered this abandoned campfire in Three Forks park approximately 9 miles in from the Green River Lakes Trailhead. The illegal fire had escaped the ring after not being properly extinguished. It took several hours to cool the fire which was approximately 20' x 20'. They used their water bottles (eventually  getting smart enough to use a bear canister which transported more water), sticks for stirring up the coals and digging into the roots, and a leatherman  which was used to cut/saw low lying branches. The efforts utilized proper minimum impact suppression tactics (MIST).

This fire was discovered by a hiker in the Bridger Wilderness on the Wind River Range approximatley 4 miles north of Half Moon Lake. The party attempted to extinguish the small fire and reported it to the district office. Teton Interagency Helitack responded to the fire and confirmed it to be out.

The Pilgrim Fire was detected by passing aircraft on the afternoon of August 19th.  Teton Interagency Helitack responded to the fire once suppression work on the nearby Pacific Fire was complete.  The fire was monitored into the evening from ground resources in the area and several overflights. As fire activity in the area increased and the Pilgrim Fire began to grow in size, an 8-person load of smokejumpers were dispatched to the fire to suppress the fire.  The fire is located in Grand Teton NP approx. ¼ mile from the USFS/Teton Wilderness boundary.

Teton Interagency engines, overhead and a helicopter responded to a fire in the Pacific Creek area on Friday 8/19.  Two spots totaling approx ¼ of an acre were burning below a tree that was struck by lightning the previous evening.  The fire was located on park land very close to homes within the Pacific Creek subdivision.  Previous fuel treatments on park and private lands provided for safe and easier access in to the fire area from private lands.  Suppression actions were immediately undertaken.

Helicopter 28HX flew over the Willow Creek area and confirmed this fire after the public reported it late Friday evening. Willow Creek area received multiple lightning strikes from thunderstorms moving through on Tuesday, 16th and Thursday, 18th. The fire was located approximately 2 1/2 miles south of McDougal Pass and 1 mile north of Rock Lake Peak. The fire was creeping and smoldering in a pocket of Sub Alpine Fir. This fire was being managed in accordance to forest plan direction and being allowed to play its natural role in the ecosystem.

The fire, located approximately 1 mile southwest of the Whiskey Grove Campground in Kendall Valley burning in timber, downed logs, slash, and duff. Firefighters from Engine 671 with help from two members of the Teton Interagency Helitack, suppressed this lighting caused fire Aug. 20.

Thunderstorms ignited multiple fires on the afternoon and evening of August 18th.  The Hermitage fire was discovered ¼ mile off the Hermitage Point trail in Grand Teton NP.  A Type 3 helicopter brought in to the area to bolster initial attack capabilities of the Teton Interagency Fire organization responded and staffed the fire with 3 firefighters.  They worked the 1/10th of an acre fire into the early morning hours before containing its spread.

Thunderstorms ignited multiple fires on the afternoon and evening of August 18th.  The Two Ocean fire was reported by visitors in the area of the Two Ocean Lake Rd and the Pacific Creek Rd leading to the Teton Wilderness trailhead.  A Type 6 engine from the Gunnison National Forest assigned to the local area to bolster initial attack capabilities responded and suppressed 1/10th of an acre fire.  It was less than a mile from private lands within the Pacific Creek sub-division.

One of the many multiple fire starts as a result of afternoon lightning storms on August 18th. The Russold fire was located in the Gros Ventre drainage and was burning in a single Limber Pine tree. The fire was considered to have low spread potential and local fire staff determined the tree to have a high chance for survival and did not cut this tree down. Crews did suppress the majority of flames, and allowed the fire to burn it's self out within the tree trunk, so to perserve the five needle pine tree.

Several phone calls placed to 911 had both county and interagency resources responding to this single tree fire, burning just a few hundred yards up hill from Station 7 in Adams Canyon. The interagency helicopter delivered two firefighters to suppress the fire with the help of a highly qualified sawyer to remove the standing burning tree and remove any hazards for firefighter safety.

On August 13,2016, a firefighter lost his life to a tree while fighting fire on the Strawberry Fire in Nevada. At approximately 1600 hours, a Lolo Interagency Hotshot crew member was hit by a falling tree, sustaining critical injuries. Line EMTs and paramedics assigned to the division responded and a short haul capable helicopter was launched. A short-haul extraction was initiated at 1730 and the injured firefighter was transported to helibase. Teton Interagency Fire keeps this young firefighter, his crew, family and friends in our thoughts.

This suspicious fire was detected just before midnight, along the Buffalo Valley Road and north of Highway 29.  A fire investigator was requested to help determine the cause, as lightning has been ruled out. The fire did prove once again, that area agencies working together through preseason training and collaboration, do provide a more effective and efficient response to wildfire for public safety. Teton County Fire/EMS, Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger Teton National Forest, all provided support in suppressing this fire burning in sage, grass and aspen. The fire also prompts the public to become more proactive in homeowner involvement through wildfire risk reduction on private lands.  To learn more about the steps you can take as a homeowner and to request a wildfire risk home assessment, contact 307-739-5424. Only you can live with wildfire!

The Island Fire was discovered on Friday on Sheffield Island in Jackson Lake.  It burned 1/10th of an acre before being suppressed.  The fire is under investigation and believed to be human caused. 

Teton Interagency initial attack fire fighters responded to the Glade Creek Fire evening after several reports of smoke in the area. The fire is located approximately three miles west of Flagg Ranch and one mile north of the Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Fire size was mapped at seven acres by initial attack crew. Lightning from storms over the past three weeks is believed to be the cause of the fire, but the ignition source is being investigated.

Dry fuel conditions and anticipated hot and dry weather conditions, as well potential spread towards the Flagg Ranch and Headwaters Lodge area, prompted fire managers to actively suppress the fire.

The Fish Creek fire was reported by aircraft flying over the Moccasin Basin area in route to Jackson on August 9th. This fire was another spark from the lightning storms passing through Teton fire management area this past weekend. Four firefighters suppressed the fire and it was called out on August 11.  

The second of two small fires started by lightning storms passing through the area on the 6th of August. Fire was suppressed the same tine as the Red Mountian 1 incident.

The first of two small fires started by lightning storms passing through the area on the 6th of August. Teton Interagency helicopter delivered fire crews to administer full suppression tactics. Both fires where located at higher elevations, burning in single trees. These fires make up 5 fires suppressed this year in the western area of the district.

The Kemmerer Ranger District Campground Host reported this fire after one of several severe thunderstorms moved through the area the weekend of the 6th and 7th. Approximate location of this fire is in the vicinity of Fenley Gulch above Sams Creek drainage. Called out on August 12.

Fire personnel found and reported this fire while patrolling after one of several severe thunderstorms moved through the area the weekend of the 6th and 7th. Approximate location of this fire is northwest of Lake Alice in the Hobble Creek drainage.This fire was being managed in accordance to fire management direction and being allowed to play its natural role in the ecosystem. This fire was called out as of 8/30/16.

This lightning caused fire was discovered and suppressed the same day.

Teton Interagency firefighters responded to a report of smoke on the East side of the Snake River northeast of the Elbow boat ramp. This 30' x 30' lightning caused fire was suppressed on Aug. 8.

A lightning storm passing over the Teton area on August 7, sent crews responding to smoke reports and small fires in various directions within Teton County. The Woods fire, just east of east of Jackson, started to produce smoke before dark when it was detected from the Cache Creek trailhead by forest visitors. Due to the late detection and to provide for firefighter safety, crews responded to this fire at first light the next day. The fire burned in heavy dead, down fuel loading with and held lots of heat. Six firefighters on the incident and with the help helicopter 2TC suppressed the fire within 48 hours. Through support and collaboration, the National Elk Refuge allowed a helicopter to “dip” for water and use an area for a landing zone to help suppress this wildfire. 

Fire personnel were advised of a smoke 1500 feet up Munger Mt, 2 miles South of the Red Top Fire.

One of several severe thunderstorms moving through the area ignited a cottonwood tree in Grand Teton NP adjacent to the Moosehead Ranch. Ranch personnel removed their horses from the vicinity and secured access to the scene through private land facilitating the response of Teton Interagency Engine 3 based in Moose. The fire was controlled as of late afternoon August 7 at 1/10 of an acre.

A rapid response from the Jackson Hole Airport fire resources made for quick containment of the lightning caused Airport Fire late Sat 8/6.  The fire quickly grew to almost an acre before apparatus from the airport, JH Fire/EMS and a Teton Interagency Fire engine extinguished the blaze.  Conditions in the grass/sage were extremely dry and going fires can very quickly transition beyond the ability of engines to attack directly.

This fire was discovered by hikers in the Bridger Wilderness area near Glimpse Lake. Campers had left several fires burning and caused significant resource damage by cutting green trees, building lean-to structures, and leaving trash behind. The smoldering fires ignited green pine boughs which were actively burning when these good samaritans happened by and took time out of their vacation to put out the fires and clean up the mess.

Jackson Hole Fire EMS was first on scene and upon initial attack, and the determination of jurisdiction, the fire was turned over to the National Forest for the appropriate management strategy for this response area within the wildland urban interface. For more information on collaboration, response to fires and how to live with fire, visit Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network.

The Cliff Creek fire was discovered on the Bridger-Teton National Forest at 2:30pm on Sunday, July 17. The fire was reported approximately 5 miles north of the town of Bondurant, Wyoming.

The Emergency Area Closure Order was terminated Sept. 13, 2016. Although no closures are currently in effect hazards still exist inside the burned area such as falling snags, active fire, smoke, hot stump holes, rolling rocks and debris. Hunters and visitors to the area are urged to check weather forecasts often and pay close attention to changes in wind.

The Toppings fire was discovered during law enforcement patrols just a day before Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are to be applied within the Teton fire management area. This abandoned campfire demonstrates the significance of campfire safety and the importance of fire restrictions this time of year when days are hot, dry and windy.

Remember “Only You Can Prevent Unwanted Fires”

An illegal, abandoned campfire was discovered near a backcountry trail along Phelps Lake, in the southwest corner of Grand Teton National Park, and suppressed by firefighters. The fire was suppressed at 0.1 acre.

An abandoned campfire burned outside of the fire ring into a nearby log and was suppressed at 0.1 by visitors and firefighters.

E-631 and Helicopter 38 responded to a smoke report from the public that were recreating in the Corral Creek area on the 23rd. They did not find the Corral Creek Fire until returning on the 24th. The fire is located approximately 2.5 miles southeast of Corral Creek Lake in the Greys River drainage. Helicopter 38 determined the cause to be lightning after seeing the single tree with the lightning scar. The fire had been burning on steep terrain, in light timber with meadow grasses near a cliff band and thick, heavy timber below. Upon arriving, Helicopter 38 relayed that it most likely burned itself out due to receiving heavy moisture from a thunderstorm that had gone through the area the evening before. Fire Personnel monitored from the air periodically as it is on a 76% slope and puts firefighters at risk on the ground.

The Waterdog Lake Creek fire is the result of carelessness from forest visitors camping and not extinguishing their campfire until completely cold, Dead Out. Both the abandoned campfire and High fire danger conditions have proved concerning for fire prevention staff and we would like to remind visitors to public lands, to stop and think before you leave a campfire unattended. Remember, you can be held liable for any costs that are associated with an unwanted wildfire. Most campfires that escape from the fire ring cost the taxpayers a minimum of $2000.00 for appropriate management response.

The Deer Ridge Fire merged with the Ciff Creek Fire.

Engine 421 and Helicopter 38 responded to a smoke report near Clause Peak and Cliff Creek drainage.The fire was on top of a ridge burning in a downed log.

This human caused fire was discovered on July 13 and declared out July 14.

Teton Interagency Helicopter 38 with fire personnel flew over the White Creek area on Greys River to locate a fire that was reported from the public late afternoon on July 14th. The fire was located 1 mile northwest of White Creek and Greys River confluence. The fire was called out mid morning on July 22nd.

A campground manager reported a single tree fire along the Gros Ventre River, 1/4 mile southwest of Gros Ventre Campground in the Park's wildland fire protection zone. Interagency crews from WY-GTP Engine 3 and 4 responded and controlled the fire at 1/10 of an acre. The fire was patrolled and called out on July 11th.

Visitors reported this single tree fire after taking suppression actions on the smoldering logs on the ground. The fire is adjacent to the section of the Valley Trail leading to Garnet Canyon or Surprise Lake. Interagency crews from WY-GTP Engine 3 responded and quickly contained and controlled the fire at 1/10 of an acre. The fire was mopped up and called out on July 5th.

Several phone calls made to Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch on July 2nd, helped to locate this human caused fire next to Ski Lake in the Teton Pass area. Forest visitors abandoned the campfire over the weekend of July 1st. Fire staff called the fire out on July 7th.

As of June 30 no smoke was visible from the air on the Highline Fire. Teton Interagency Helicopter 38 flew over the fire in route to a radio repeater project on Pow Wow Mountain and was unable to detect any smoke or activity on the small fire. Fire managers will continue to fly over the fire, but only when in the vicinity of the Highline area, and monitor for any possible fire activity. Most likely the fire has run out of available fuels and has burned itself out.

The Flat Creek fire is the result of carelessness from forest visitors hiking in the Flat Creek drainage during the May 1st antler hunt. Within the first 24 hours of the opening for the closed winter range area, the 1/10 of an acre fire was able to consume above normal dead and down vegetation for spring conditions. Both the abandoned campfire and early burning conditions have proved concerning for fire prevention staff and we would like to remind visitors to public lands, to stop and think before you leave a campfire unattended. Remember, you can be held liable for any costs that are associated with an unwanted wildfire. Most campfires that escape from the fire ring cost the taxpayers the minimum of $2000.00 for appropriate management response.

Please remember to put out your fire. Know before you go and ensure that your fire is out, Dead Out.

To report a wildland fire call 307-739-3630 or dial 911