OWL FIRE UPDATE

Fire Information:

Information desk, 406-646-0342

Information Desk:

Catherine Hibbard

 Southern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

8:00 AM

Location

20 miles N/NE of West Yellowstone within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park

 Estimated Acreage

2,800 acres

Containment

50 percent

Cause and Date Started

Lightning, July 20

Resources on the Fire

20-person fire crews: 13  Helicopters: 3  Water tenders: 3 Overhead: 127 Camp Crews: 2  Total Personnel:  408

Cooperators

USDA Forest Service, Park County, Gallatin County, West Yellowstone Fire Department

Restrictions and Closures

Some trails and backcountry campsites near the Owl Fire are temporarily closed. Details are available by calling the Yellowstone Backcountry Office at 307-344-2160 during business hours.

Fire Management

Yesterday firefighters made good progress cold trailing, constructing handline and mopping up. Lines on Div C and D, the NW side of the fire, have been completed. Approximately 10.5 miles of fire line remain to be constructed. Smoldering and some open flame were observed yesterday.

Plans for today

Because of the good work performed by crews yesterday, the Specimen Creek spike camp will be dismantled early. Cold trailing, direct line construction and mop up will continue on all divisions as necessary. Helicopter water drops will be used to cool isolated and remote pockets of fire.

Fire weather and behavior

Increased relative humidity, cooler temperatures, and scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms are predicted for today. Winds will be light in the morning, increasing to 10-15 MPH in the afternoon. Erratic wind gusts over 30 MPH are possible near any storms. Firefighters will watch for any holdover hot spots in areas near the perimeter and interior hot spots that could cause torching and spotting. Minimal fire behavior is expected.

Other Fire Information

The Daly Creek Trail has been reopened for day use only.

Recorded Information

Additional information is available 24- hours a day by calling 307-344-2580 or on the web at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/855

Change in Fire Updates

Owl Fire Updates will be issued once per day in the morning unless fire activity increases,