Date: August 18, 2007
Contact: Terina Mullen, 307-242-7649
Contact: Jill Cobb, 307-242-7649
Columbine Fire Fact Sheet
Saturday, August 18, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officers Terina Mullen and Jill Cobb
Media Phone: (307) 242-7649
24 hour Recording: (307) 344-2580
Resident Information Phone: (307) 578-5216
The East Entrance Road to Yellowstone National Park is OPEN!
Community Meeting today at 2:00 p.m. at the Wapiti School.
What: Wildland fire, lightning caused
Started: August 9, 2007 6:00 p.m.
Location: 46 miles southeast of Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park
Jurisdiction: Yellowstone National Park
Cooperating Agencies: Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone National Forest, Cody Rural FD, Park County Sheriff.
Incident Commander & Team: A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT), under Incident Commander Mark Grant assumed command as of 8:00 a.m. August 12, 2007.
Current size: 18,500 acres Containment: 0%
Yesterday’s Activities: The East Entrance Road was re-opened to public transportation at 9:00 this morning. The fire area received approximately ¾ of an inch of rain. The fire behavior was minimal, though smoldering was seen throughout the fire and flames were reported in Canfield Creek. The fire held at 18,500 acres. “Hotshots" worked the two spot fires near Sylvan Pass. Resources worked to finalize the structure protection measures.
Sprinklers, hose lays and pumps are in place at the structures from Pahaska Teepee to the Boy Scout Camp.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident is 340. Resources assigned include 8 crews, 1 helicopter, 24 engines and 2 water tenders.
Today’s Strategy: There will be a community meeting today at the Wapiti school. Team members and agency representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about the fire. “Hotshot” crews will secure areas of heat and construct line around the spots near Sylvan Pass. Firefighting forces will conclude assessments of structures in the North Fork Corridor. A helicopter will be used for reconnaissance flights. The weather forecast calls for a slight risk of severe weather conditions, including gusty winds and hail. Residents in the North Fork corridor seeking more information regarding the fire’s progression and the evacuation plan are encouraged to call the residential information line at (307) 578-5216.
Special Messages: Firefighter and public safety is always the #1 priority on any fire incident. Visitors to the Park need to be especially mindful of the increased traffic in the Fishing Bridge Area.
Restrictions & Closures: Fire restrictions are in effect in Yellowstone National Park. Wood fires and charcoal grills are not allowed. Portable camp stoves and lanterns which use white gas, kerosene, compressed gas or similar fuels and sheepherder-type stoves with spark arrester screens may be used in the backcountry. Wood fires and charcoal grills will be allowed in the front country of the park only in designated fire rings or grates at picnic areas and in developed campgrounds. Smoking is permitted only inside vehicles, on sidewalks, in gravel or paved parking areas and in developed campgrounds. Fireworks are prohibited in the Park and on all surrounding National Forest lands. Fire restrictions on adjacent lands administered by the Shoshone National Forest have been lifted. No fire restrictions are in place.
For further fire information, visit: www.inciweb.org
