Smoke column during active burning late Friday, September 25
Bearpaw Bay Fire, early Friday, September 25September 27, 2009
3:00 p.m. (MDT)
09-96
Teton Interagency firefighters continued fire suppression on the southeast flank of the Bearpaw Bay Fire in Grand Teton National Park throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, September 26. The fire was mapped on Saturday afternoon with a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and determined to be 1,500 acres in size.
On Sunday, September 27, fire managers again used one medium helicopter (300-gallon capacity) and one heavy helicopter (700-gallon capacity) to make water bucket drops on the southeast segment of the fire. Four fire engines (three from Teton County and one from Grand Teton), as well as one Teton County water tender, are staged at various points along the Teton Park Road to extinguish spot fires that may occur with expected afternoon winds. A Type II fire crew from Salt Lake City arrived on Saturday, as well as a Hot Shot crew from Carson City, Nevada; these firefighters will continue to suppress hotspots and establish fire lines around the southeast fire perimeter throughout the afternoon and evening in an effort to limit further growth to the east. Weather forecasts call for brisk 20-mph afternoon winds out of the southwest, shifting to northwest winds in the late afternoon.
The eastshore trail along Leigh Lake is closed due to the proximity of the fire, as are several backcountry campsites on Leigh, Bearpaw and Trapper lakes, and the lakeshore campsites in the Spalding Bay area of Jackson Lake. At this time, the Teton Park Road is open; however, fire activity may require temporary closures as a safety precaution.
Heavy smoke has blanketed the Jackson Hole valley during the last few days because of fires in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as well as prescribed burns on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Individuals with impaired respiratory conditions and young children are advised to stay indoors to reduce exposure to smoke. People should avoid exercise or physical exertion during the next two days while heavy smoke exists.
Bearpaw Bay Fire
Started: August 30, 2009, by lightning
Estimated Size: 1,500 acres
Location: Approximately two miles northeast of North Jenny Lake Junction on the Teton Park Road, and west of Spalding Bay on Jackson Lake.
Overview: A lightning-caused fire, the Bearpaw Bay Fire began on August 30 and has been managed for resource benefits according to the park’s fire management plan. The fire was burning primarily in the 1981 Mystic Isle Fire area, but moved into old growth lodgepole forest late afternoon on September 25. It has remained within the approved area; however, firefighters are suppressing the southeast flank, near the southwestern shore of Spalding Bay, with an objective to limit any further spread to the east.
Recent Activity and Expectations: The Bearpaw Bay Fire was mapped using GPS at 1,500 acres on Saturday, September 27. Weather forecasts call for increased winds out of the southwest on Sunday.
Closures or Impacts to Visitors and Area Residents: The eastshore trail along Leigh Lake is closed due to the proximity of the fire, as are several backcountry campsites on Leigh, Bearpaw and Trapper lakes, and the lakeshore campsites in the Spalding Bay area of Jackson Lake. The Spalding Bay Road is closed, and the Teton Park Road may be closed as conditions warrant during Sunday.
Fire Updates: For current fire information, go to http://www.tetonfires.com/ or visit the Teton Interagency Fire Web site at http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/index.html. For a map of the Bearpaw Bay Fire go to http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/information/current-fires/index.html.
Teton Interagency firefighters continued fire suppression on the southeast flank of the Bearpaw Bay Fire in Grand Teton National Park throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, September 26. The fire was mapped on Saturday afternoon with a portable Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and determined to be 1,500 acres in size.
On Sunday, September 27, fire managers again used one medium helicopter (300-gallon capacity) and one heavy helicopter (700-gallon capacity) to make water bucket drops on the southeast segment of the fire. Four fire engines (three from Teton County and one from Grand Teton), as well as one Teton County water tender, are staged at various points along the Teton Park Road to extinguish spot fires that may occur with expected afternoon winds. A Type II fire crew from Salt Lake City arrived on Saturday, as well as a Hot Shot crew from Carson City, Nevada; these firefighters will continue to suppress hotspots and establish fire lines around the southeast fire perimeter throughout the afternoon and evening in an effort to limit further growth to the east. Weather forecasts call for brisk 20-mph afternoon winds out of the southwest, shifting to northwest winds in the late afternoon.
The eastshore trail along Leigh Lake is closed due to the proximity of the fire, as are several backcountry campsites on Leigh, Bearpaw and Trapper lakes, and the lakeshore campsites in the Spalding Bay area of Jackson Lake. At this time, the Teton Park Road is open; however, fire activity may require temporary closures as a safety precaution.
Heavy smoke has blanketed the Jackson Hole valley during the last few days because of fires in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, as well as prescribed burns on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Individuals with impaired respiratory conditions and young children are advised to stay indoors to reduce exposure to smoke. People should avoid exercise or physical exertion during the next two days while heavy smoke exists.
Bearpaw Bay Fire
Started: August 30, 2009, by lightning
Estimated Size: 1,500 acres
Location: Approximately two miles northeast of North Jenny Lake Junction on the Teton Park Road, and west of Spalding Bay on Jackson Lake.
Overview: A lightning-caused fire, the Bearpaw Bay Fire began on August 30 and has been managed for resource benefits according to the park’s fire management plan. The fire was burning primarily in the 1981 Mystic Isle Fire area, but moved into old growth lodgepole forest late afternoon on September 25. It has remained within the approved area; however, firefighters are suppressing the southeast flank, near the southwestern shore of Spalding Bay, with an objective to limit any further spread to the east.
Recent Activity and Expectations: The Bearpaw Bay Fire was mapped using GPS at 1,500 acres on Saturday, September 27. Weather forecasts call for increased winds out of the southwest on Sunday.
Closures or Impacts to Visitors and Area Residents: The eastshore trail along Leigh Lake is closed due to the proximity of the fire, as are several backcountry campsites on Leigh, Bearpaw and Trapper lakes, and the lakeshore campsites in the Spalding Bay area of Jackson Lake. The Spalding Bay Road is closed, and the Teton Park Road may be closed as conditions warrant during Sunday.
Fire Updates: For current fire information, go to http://www.tetonfires.com/ or visit the Teton Interagency Fire Web site at http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/index.html. For a map of the Bearpaw Bay Fire go to http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/information/current-fires/index.html.
