Second Lightning-caused Fire near Jackson Lake

September 3, 2009
09-84
Teton interagency firefighters will monitor—and manage for resource benefit—a second lightning-caused fire in Grand Teton National Park. The Bearpaw Bay Fire likely ignited during the passing of the same thunderstorm on Sunday, August 30, that also started the Third Creek Fire. This new fire is located one-half mile southeast of Bearpaw Bay on Jackson Lake. Although reported as a single tree fire on Wednesday afternoon, it grew to 2.5 acres by evening and produced smoke that was visible from several locations in the park and across Jackson Hole.

The Bearpaw Bay Fire is located at the northern edge of an area that burned in 1981 during the Mystic Isle Fire. Prevailing winds will push the fire toward the west shore of Jackson Lake.

The Third Creek Fire, also near Jackson Lake, has grown to .9 of an acre in size. It has burned a small grove of trees and a grassy meadow area; however, the fire has spread to the creek bank, which may limit its growth.

No public closures are in effect for trails or lakeshore campsites in the vicinities of the Bearpaw Bay or Third Creek fires.

The current fire danger rating for Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest is “High.”

For local fire information, please visit the Teton Interagency Fire Web site at http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/index.html, or go to http://www.tetonfires.com/. For a map and additional information on the Bearpaw Bay and Third Creek fires, go to
http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/information/current-fires/index.html.