JACKSON, Wyo. — As dry and warm conditions persist, so does the Pack Trail Fire near the Bridger-Teton National Forest in northwestern Wyoming. In a newly released Facebook update, the U.S. Forest Service announced that a significant area of roads, trails and forest lands are completely closed through Nov. 1.
Favorable conditions last night assisted crews in their ongoing effort to control the now 60,676-acre fire in the national forest. The northern side of the fire in particular is experiencing minimal activity and the 563-strong fire crew is prepared to conduct operations on nearly every front of the blaze.
The fire has moved west and south since the previous update and has stopped just east of Burnt Ridge, according to the update. The Gros Ventre area due west of the fire is receiving significant attention from crews as well, who are now implementing structural protection for the campgrounds that dot the area. The same structural protection work is being implemented northeast near the Brooks Lakes area.
Areas near Gros Ventre are also in the “set” stage of “ready, set, go” evacuation orders. This order includes many of the ranches that dot the Teton County countryside near the fire.
Below is a map provided by the U.S. Forest Service – Bridger-Teton National Forest that displays all the areas closed to public access until November.
U.S. Highway 26 between Moran and Dubois no longer remains open for the time being, the Forest Service announced in its newest Facebook post. This is an extremely new update as the Forest Service approved travel on the route in another post just hours before.
This is an area dotted by many campgrounds, hiking areas and other recreational sites. Places like the Brooks Lake Campground, Falls Campground and Pinnacles Campground should be avoided.
Plans are currently in place on the eastern portion of the Pack Trail Fire to conduct a strategic firing operation, according to the Forest Service. This should hopefully strengthen control lines and clear out some flammable material.
High fire danger extends far beyond the Pack Trail Fire itself. According to the Forest Service, Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge and the rest of the Bridger-Teton National Forest are experiencing very hot, dry and windy conditions conducive to the start and spread of wildfires. Therefore, the service implores residents to do everything they can to minimize the risk of fire. This includes removing flammable materials and keeping personal campfires at least 10 feet away from anything ignitable.
