Wyoming Team 3, a type 3 incident management team, assumed command of the Bare Fire yesterday. While the fire was active yesterday afternoon, no growth was observed, and the fire remains at an estimated 800 acres in size. Approximately 137 personnel are assigned to the incident, with additional resources continuing to arrive.
The Bare Fire is located north of Bare Pass and east of Bare Creek on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire is burning in heavy timber fuels and is exhibiting increased fire activity, including torching and spotting, as fuel moisture decreases and temperatures rise in the afternoon. The fire has crossed jurisdictional boundaries, including Bureau of Land Management land and private land in Sublette County, adjacent to the Forest boundary. Cause of the fire is undetermined.
Firefighting resources include one type-1 helicopter, two type-3 helicopters, one water tender, one dozer, one type-3 engine, five type-6 engines, eight smokejumpers, one type-2 initial attack crew, one type-2 crew, one suppression module, one task force crew, and firefighter and other support staff.
Fire managers are implementing direct extinguishment and indirect confinement strategies on the Bare Fire. A direct extinguishment strategy is when firefighters engage the active flame front directly to stop fire spread. An indirect confinement strategy is when firefighters work away from the active flame front to steer or contain the fire.
Although the Bare Fire saw no growth yesterday, several spot fires emerged, which aerial resources quickly detected and assisted ground crews in containing. Today, crews will continue direct extinguishment strategies. On the north side of the fire, crews will work to connect and secure dozer and handline. On the south side of the fire, crews will continue strengthening containment by holding the line, adding additional handline, and securing those lines to reinforce control efforts. Crews will also continue assessing and implementing structure protection measures on private property as needed.
Today’s weather is expected to remain hot, dry and windy. Smoke will continue to linger across the area due to ongoing wildfires throughout the western United States. For the latest air quality information, visit AirNow.gov.
The Bare Fire Area and Road Closure Order #04-03-26-305 is in place to provide for public and firefighter safety and is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office has coordinated pre-evacuation notices and utilizes the “Ready, Set, Go” alert system. High Lonesome Ranch is in the “Set” stage for possible evacuation. Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and Sublette County Emergency Management will continue to provide updates.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Teton Interagency Dispatch area, which includes the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge. See Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Forest Order #04-03-26-304 at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/
The fire danger rating remains “high” for the area, meaning wildfires can start easily and spread quickly.
Find the latest updates, maps and more on the Bear Fire InciWeb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/
For other news, events and information, visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest website and follow the Bridger-Teton on Facebook and X @BridgerTetonNF.
