Teton interagency firefighters lay hose lines
and dig fire breaks around the Cathedral Group Fire
July 15, 201010-49
The Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park is 50 percent contained, and firefighters are making good progress toward complete suppression. Personnel recently mapped the fire with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device at 40 acres.
The fire continues to burn in a mixed conifer and aspen forest about a quarter mile north of the Cathedral Group turnout on the Jenny Lake scenic loop road. Yesterday, July 14, the fire was moving north toward the 2009 Bearpaw Bay Fire.
The west flank of the fire is contained, allowing for trail and campsite closures to be lifted. The only closures in place today include the Cathedral Group turnout—which is being used for staging of fire and helicopter operations—and the Boulder City off-trail area. All hiking trails, backcountry campsites and park roads are open to public use.
Today, a Teton interagency contract helicopter, two fire engines and a hand crew will continue suppression activities. In addition to the interagency fire personnel, a 20-person Type-2 crew from Island Park, Idaho—the Centennial Crew—are supporting operations, which brings the number of firefighters to approximately 60. On Wednesday, fire crew members established hand lines around the western and northwestern flank of the fire. Firefighters also established a network of hose lines, using several small ponds in the Boulder City area as sources for pumping water to hot spots.
Firefighters responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening and used both a fire engine and crew, and a contract helicopter based out of Swan Valley, Idaho with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, to conduct suppression efforts during the evening hours.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of an off-trail area called Boulder City, and who can provide information about this fire, is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630
The current fire danger rating is moderate. With the arrival of the fire season, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
