By Rebecca Huntington
Jackson Hole News&Guide
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

JACKSON — The Bridger-Teton National Forest has ordered more resources to fight the Fish Creek Fire, which has been putting up a smoke column visible from Dubois, Jackson and Pinedale.

A Wyoming Type 3 team is expected to take over management of the fire Tuesday morning, said C.J. Adams, public affairs specialist with the Bridger-Teton. The fire grew to more than 1,700 acres by Sunday afternoon and was 0% contained as of press time.

“We are suppressing the fire,” Adams said Sunday.

In addition to leveling up the team managing the fire, the Bridger-Teton has ordered a helitack crew, a helicopter, six fire engines and medical personnel. The additional helicopter will allow the forest to keep its helicopter available to continue scouting other potential fires and for other general duties.

Smoke from the fire has been impacting the drive over Togwotee Pass, so the Forest Service is asking drivers to go slowly and use headlights.

“When we get the cooler temperatures in the night, smoke from the fire lays down,” which has been reducing visibility along Highway 26/287, Adams said.

Although smoke is causing some trouble, modeling does not predict that the fire itself will affect the highway corridor within the next three to seven days, although that modeling is continually reevaluated. The fire is burning in heavy timber, including a lot of standing dead Engelmann spruce, Adams said.

“There is potential for thunderstorm development over the next couple days and potential for wind,” Adams said. “Generally, people will see more activity in the afternoon when it is hotter and drier.”

There are no evacuations, but there is a road, trail and area closure in effect for North Fork Fish Creek, Hardscrabble Creek and Moccasin Basin areas. Maps will be posted on the Bridger-Teton’s website and InciWeb.

Discovered Friday about 7 miles southwest of Togwotee Pass, the lightning-caused Fish Creek Fire is currently the largest fire burning on the Bridger-Teton.

Another lightning-caused fire, the Cottonwood Fire, was discovered Saturday. The smaller fire is burning in the Sohare Creek area, northeast of Gunsight Pass and west of the Cottonwood Creek drainage. It’s about five and half miles southwest of the Fish Creek Fire.

Crews dropped retardant lines around the Cottonwood Fire on Saturday evening to slow the rate of combustion and limit the spread of flames.

“So far today, the fire has stayed within that perimeter,” Adams said.

Four smokejumpers and air resources worked to contain the 10-to-15-acre fire Saturday, and the Forest Service has ordered hot shot crews to beef up resources working to suppress it.