It is going to be a long summer in and around Sublette County
July 4, 2012; 3:30 a.m.; Pinedale Wyoming; Sublette Times Summary
Never ever thought I’d ever say that…when it can frost any day of the year, and snow on July 4th.
This aggressive new fire, on the Wind River and Gros Ventre side but currently 40 or so miles north of Sublette County. However, it speaks to the extreme potential for new fires to start without notice! NO OPEN FLAMES PLEASE!! Due to this second fire within its boundaries, the Bridger-Teton National Forest has raised the fire danger to VERY HIGH, BLM has placed restrictions on their land, and Sublette County remains at risk and sadly will until snow falls.
In an area of the country where “summer” typically lasts less than one month, Sublette County has gotten hot. REALLY HOT. Not only are the daytime weather temperatures warmer and wind speeds higher than normal, but the annual fire season has kicked off earlier and looks to become more brutal than ever.
With the Fontenelle Fire in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney finally getting some containment (15% as of the most recent report), a new fire has started in the Bridger Wilderness 30 miles east of Moran in Fremont County. Spotted at 3:00 p.m. on July 3rd, the Bear Cub FIRE is already at 2,000 acres and is already jumping into the
Bear Cub Fire, Estimate of Initial Sighting, July 3, 2012
crowns of the trees.
The extended weather forecast is beginning to show the potential for thunderstorms (20-40%) each day. Sadly, these storms will probably bring more lightening than water…just what Sublette County and all of the Rocky Mountains DO NOT NEED!!
Current Bear Cub Fire Situation (excerpt from Incident Report as of 3:00 a.m. on 7/4/2012)
Total Personnel 10 Size 2,000 acres Fuels Involved Heavy dead and down timber with beetle killed trees. Fire Behavior High winds with strong gusts continue to feed the active fire behavior with short crown runs. Significant Events Fire is located on the southern portion of the South Fork of the Buffalo River, directly south of the 2011 Nowlin fire perimeter.
Trip planned to Sky Pilot in August. The 11th-19th. Hoping the fires are contained soon!
Lisa, so far the Wind River Range has only a few spotty, small issues over on the Lander side. This fire remains well north of the Union Pass/Green River Lakes area at the northern end of the Winds.
Unless lightening starts something, the health (& beauty) of the Bridger Wilderness is entirely in our neighbors’ hands.
Take Care & Hope your trip here to Sublette County goes without a hitch!
JC