The lightning-caused Fish Creek Fire has now burned more than 15,500 acres according to information released by officials from the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday morning. The fire started on August 16 and has been burning approximately seven miles southwest of Togwotee Pass. The latest estimate is that the blaze is 54% contained. 

As of Tuesday, a total of 433 personnel are on hand including six hand crews. Also. On the scene are 20 engines, one dozer, 16 pieces of heavy equipment and five helicopters. Officials made the following statement on Tuesday September 2. 

“Late [Monday] afternoon the Incident Management Team recommended to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) that Highway 26 be temporarily closed due to increased fire activity approaching the highway. WYDOT made the decision to close the highway around 4:00 p.m. for public and firefighter safety. Highway 26 remained closed overnight and is still closed this morning due to active fire behavior near the highway corridor near Togwotee Pass. Currently there is no estimated time for when the highway might reopen.”

“Fire crews shifted to night operations last night to patrol and implement firing operations west of the highway to slow or stop the fire from jumping to the east side of the highway. “Firing operations” is terminology used to describe the use of fire to burn

wildland fuels between a control line and the fire’s flaming front. When successful, the main fire will slow or stop advancing since the fire’s fuel has been removed.”

As of now, crews have been able to defend structures of note such as the Brooks Lake Lodge.