Governor Mead briefed on site of Roosevelt Fire in Bondurant.
U.S. Highway 189/191 remained closed overnight due to the Roosevelt Fire, now burining within a quarter-mile of the major highway connecting the Pinedale and Jackson areas of western Wyoming.
The fire has burned nearly 50,000 acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest south of the Bondurant area. Gov. Matt Mead toured the area Tuesday afternoon with Incident Command officials. The governor was told the Roosevelt Fire is now the top priority of fire fighting operations in the United States. He was briefed on the current status of the fire and was advised that approximately 1,000 personnel are expected at the fire by today, Wednesday Sept. 26.
Officials say the primary focus of the fire fighting efforts have centered on life and property. Hunters and homeowners were evacuated from the area in the early stages of the fire. Injuries were reported to a father and son who were hunting in the area took cover in a stream bed while the fire passed by their camp. SVI has put in a request for more information on this incident.
In the past two days, homeowners in the Hoback Ranches area have been briefed on the status of their property by the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office with some learning that their homes have been completely destroyed in the late September blaze.
According to officials, at peak times, the fire was traveling three miles in just 15 minutes. Timber was described as “dryer then kiln dried lumber” with the fire crowning and rapidly traveling through the tree tops despite the cool 50-degree evening temperatures. A combination of drought and timber configuration has also contributed to the speed of the fire’s eastward movement.
The incident team on site has coordinated air fire retardant drops, using a aircraft that fly at different levels. At appointed times the aircraft are instructed to fly low and drop their retardant loads at specific locations. At one point there were 22 aircraft flying and making retardant drops using what is called the stacked sequence method.
Precipitation is not expected in the area until Monday, October 1, at the earliest. Governor Mead expressed appreciation for the expertise of the incident command team and thanked the firefighters for their work in Wyoming.
- 216Shares
6 COMMENTS
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Someone needs to get in touch with the hunter who originally called in the fire. He and his son were the ones mentioned. Their injuries are not minor, they are severe. A good investigative reporter needs to look into this
They were not minor injuries they were massive 3rd degree burns to their faces, shoulders, arms and hands. They were life flighted to the burn unit at the University hospital in Salt lake. They’re both still in the burn unit
The father and son hunters did not have minor injuries. Check Steve Knezovich and his son, Dakota at the U of U Burn Center. They have severe burns.
Can you help us out with a family contact so we can get more information? We have put in a request to the Forest Service but still waiting for a response. Any help you can provide for us would be appreciated. We would like to do a follow-up story
Please check on the father & son who were burned in the fire. Their burns are not minor, they are still in the hospital with serious burns, surgeries, skin grafting and very concerned family & friends.
Just think. The FS flew in twice to assess this.. The hunters called it in when it was 3 acres. FS sat on their hands… Not good stewardship of the forest.. Needs to be investigated and heads should roll..