By Jim Stanford on September 11, 2012
Update 9/12: Frost on the roofs today, likely aiding firefighters’ effort. The evacuation advisory area has been reduced.
The Little Horsethief Fire simmers for a fourth day behind Snow King, and although many residents are prepared for an evacuation, they are breathing a little easier as crews have kept the flames in check.
The blaze has covered 2,700 acres. In all, 171 personnel are taking part in the firefighting effort, including 70 who spent the night on Josie’s Ridge to prevent flames from advancing toward the west side of Snow King. The News&Guide reports that the cost already has topped $1 million.
A Forest Service firefighter from Jackson said this morning that crews are well entrenched and, barring extreme winds, the mood is confident.
For the last two nights, the fire has burned some trees on the eastern ridge of Snow King, above the Hagen Trail, but it has not encroached significantly down into Cache Creek. Tankers made heavy drops of retardant along the ridge, helicopters dropped water, and a chopper delivered a hand crew to the site.
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS has placed sprinklers on some of the most vulnerable houses on upper Snow King Drive and elsewhere on the mountain near Cache Creek. As was the case yesterday, firefighters will be ready come afternoon, when winds pick up. There is no rain in the forecast today.
The above video by Andrew Whiteford is a time lapse shot yesterday from East Gros Ventre Butte. The wonder of that sudden rainstorm cannot be overstated.
Posted under Environment, Ski Resorts, Weather
Thanks for providing the most current info on the fires. It helps us reduce our anxiety as we wait for possible evacuation. Our town is regularly affected by wildfire and I am grateful for the positive attitudes and commitment to this community from everyone. I appreciate all of our local, state, interstate and federal government efforts to keep us safe. The way people respond in crisis tells a lot about character.
Thank you for the updates! Do you know if there is anything we can do for the firefighters? I would love to help in any way I can.
Good question. I’ve been meaning to post this tidbit from today’s Bridger-Teton briefing:
Here is the link to contribute through Old Bill’s: http://www.cfjacksonhole.org/old-bills-fun-run/donate-through-old-bills/
The deadline to have your contribution matched is Sept. 14.
Of course, any and all donations are much appreciated but donations via Old Bill’s are preferred since all the money stays local.
Thanks to fire fighters and to Jim for great updates.
As an East JH resident this has been a stressful situation. I made donations to fire/EMS and red cross today to be matched by Old Bill.
Do we know who flies the choppers and how to donate to them?
The heavy lift helos are contracted from Helicopter Transport Services.
I don’t know if this picture will post here or not but I took these monday afternoon as the helos were getting water from the Evans gravel pit.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/1snake2river3marksman/P1010062.jpg
That’s a sweet pic of that bird. I followed one from Victor, over the pass. Not sure why it was coming from Idaho, though.
One came up Star Valley on Sunday morning.
If for some reason you don’t get donantions into Old Bills by the dead line please don’t forget the Firemans Ball is coming up. Lets make this their biggest and best ball ever! They keep their end of the “You come to our ball, we’ll come to your fire” lets do the same for them!