JH Underground – news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming news, sports and music blog from Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Hunters, hikers, kayakers and anglers are about to celebrate, as a conservation group has reached a deal to buy the last remaining oil and gas leases in the Wyoming Range south of Jackson.

A source last night said the drilling company finally agreed to sell the leases, ensuring that the pristine mountain range and headwaters of the Hoback River will be spared fracking and other development. The Associated Press confirmed the deal this morning. A full press release appears after the jump.

The Trust for Public Land will purchase the leases from Houston-based Plains Exploration and Production Co. for $8.75 million, AP reported. The group still must raise half the money by the end of the year.

Read More…

Posted under Economy, Environment, Politics, Sports, Wyoming

Tags: conservation, fishing, hunting, national forest, oil and gas, river running, snake river

With the arrival today of wintry weather, the Little Horsethief Fire is becoming a distant memory (except for those left footing the bill).

After preparing to evacuate his home in the heat of the fight last month, photographer Taylor Glenn decided to document some of the crews working to protect Jackson. Like he has done in the past with end-of-ski-season antics, Glenn shot portraits of the firefighters. He captured about 90 in all and has posted a gallery on his blog, It’s What We Do Here.

In the men and women who made up the firefighter teams, some 700 in all from Teton County and around the West, he found “real life heroes.” He writes:

These folks are extremely dedicated and very humble. … It was a great experience to meet them and learn about their occupations. It takes a tremendous amount of team work across many organizations to manage an incident.

Also, as Glenn’s photos attest, firefighters have great facial hair.

For anyone looking to support Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, there will be two events in the coming weeks to help replace the engine lost in the Horsethief blaze: a BBQ dinner Oct. 13 at the Elks Lodge and the annual Fireman’s Ball on Nov. 17.

And Friends of Pathways and Teton Freedom Riders have organized a volunteer day Saturday to repair Snow King-area trails affected by the fire.

Posted under Art, Media

Tags: horsethief fire, national forest, photography

With the Little Horsethief Fire more than 90 percent contained, the Bridger-Teton National Forest has lifted the closure for Snow King and Cache Creek trails.

The Putt-Putt, Ferrin’s and Hagen trails will open up Cache Creek, and hikers and bikers may reach the Snow King summit via the main resort trail or Josie’s Ridge. Crystal Butte and Nowlin Peak also will reopen. The Elk Refuge Road has reopened to all traffic.

The cost of suppressing the fire has reached $7.9 million. Nearly two weeks after the fire began, allegedly in a backyard at the mouth of Wilson Canyon, investigators have not identified the cause.

Read More…

Posted under Environment, Ski Resorts, Sports

Tags: cache creek, game creek, hiking, horsethief fire, mountain biking, national forest, snow king

Update 9/19: The cost of fire suppression has risen to $7.1 million.

As the Little Horsethief Fire burns for a seventh day behind Snow King Mountain, the total number of personnel combating the blaze has swelled to nearly 600, and the cost has exceeded $2.8 million. The fire has burned 3,300 acres.

Bewilderingly, residents continue to set illegal burns. During last night’s community meeting, Sheriff Jim Whalen announced that an illegal burn had just been reported up Game Creek. A deputy was dispatched to cite the offender, the sheriff said.

Fire managers expect a little more activity from the blaze today, with breezes from the south and southwest. But efforts are focused on the southern flank above Game Creek; on the northern flank near Cache Creek, crews are mopping up and securing the control line.

Besides the obvious concern for homes in the vicinity of the blaze, residents have asked how the fire is affecting trails. The greater Snow King area, including Cache and Game creeks, is one of the most heavily used recreation areas in Wyoming, especially for hiking and mountain biking. Hunters and equestrians use the area as well. With 43 engines and two bulldozers assisting firefighting crews, there has been a significant impact on these trails.

Read More…

Posted under Environment, Ski Resorts, Sports

Tags: cache creek, game creek, hiking, horsethief fire, mountain biking, national forest, snow king

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.

Read More…

Posted under Environment, Ski Resorts, Weather

Tags: cache creek, horsethief fire, national forest, snow king