Shale Creek nears containment, new fire in the Greys
Stewart Creek Fire was spotted by a commercial flight passing overhead
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Firefighters have made considerable progress on the Shale Creek Fire. Crews are working toward full suppression in the remote ridges and drainages east of Hams Fork River.
The fire is burning within the earlier 2000 Fontenelle Fire in a landscape of meadows, dead and downed timber, and forest. The fire has been mapped at 189 acres. Containment has grown to 45% as of July 24. Firefighters continue to watch for and respond to a range of fire behavior—smoldering, creeping, and isolated torching of single trees, especially in islands of unburnt timber and brush in its interior. New spot fires have been discovered and controlled within the containment line.
Ground and helitack crews are still securing and strengthening line in the Shale Creek drainage. They will also assess how to safely reduce risks from ongoing torching within the fire’s perimeter. Recent aviation activity has included an infrared mapping flight to identify areas of concern. Of the 127 working the fire, some smokejumpers and hotshots are being released to respond to new starts in the area.
“I want to express gratitude to the many people who have helped the containment process succeed so far,” said Ron Steffens, Shale Creek Incident Commander. “What we have achieved in less than a week is due to their efforts.”
A warming and drying trend will begin this weekend over the fire. Days will be sunny to partly cloudy. Highs will reach the low 80s. Lows will be in the 50s.
Another start in the Greys
A routine commercial flight reported flames could be seen while passing overhead Wyoming. That heads up led to ground crews finding the Stewart Creek Fire—a .2-acre blaze just off Greys River Road up Stewart Creek.
A helitack crew jumped on the fire immediately. Additional firefighters are expected to join the incident today for a total of 8 firefighters on-scene. The fire is under full suppression. Its start is unknown.
