Date: August 19, 2007
Contact: Terina Mullen, 307-242-7649
Map of Columbine Fire - Courtesy Dewey Vanderhoff
Columbine Fire Fact Sheet
Sunday, August 19, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officer Terina Mullen
Media Phone: (307) 242-7649
24 hour Recording: (307) 344-2580
Resident Information Phone: (307) 578-5216
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: 18,255 acres Containment: 0%
Yesterday’s Activities: The fire area received over an inch of rain. Fire behavior was minimal, with smoldering reported. Decrease in acreage due to more accurate mapping. “Hotshot” crews worked to mop-up the two hot spots along the road east of Sylvan Pass near Middle Creek. Firefighting forces concluded assessments of structures in the North Fork Corridor. Demobilization of excess resources was initiated. Team members and agency representatives provided information and answered questions about the fire at a community meeting in Wapiti. The East Entrance Road was closed mid-afternoon due to a mudslide approximately 6 miles east of the Park entrance; this mudslide was unrelated to fire operations on the Columbine Fire.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters on the incident is 196. Resources assigned include 2 crews, 2 helicopters, 10 engines and 2 water tenders.
Today’s Strategy: A helicopter will be used for reconnaissance flights, and the “hotshot” crews will work to secure the spots near the road. The weather forecast calls for strong, gusty winds. Demobilization of excess resources will continue. 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
