Summer of Fire - Linda Jacobs [110]
Here is a list of the fires and approximate perimeter acreages. To date, over 633,000 acres in Yellowstone National Park (and over * * * * acres in the Greater Yellowstone Area) have been affected by fire. However, only about half of the vegetation has burned within many fire perimeters. Throughout the summer, 52 different fires have been started by lightning. Of those 52, eight are still burning inside the park. Fire fighters are working to control them. Any new fires will be suppressed as quickly as possible.
****1,066,010 acres
Clover-Mist Fire: 238,300 acres. Mist Fire started July 9. Clover started July 11. They joined on July 22. Shallow Fire started July 31. Fern Fire started August 5. These two fires joined Clover-Mist August 13. Lovely Fire started July 11 and burned into Clover-Mist on August 21. The SW flank is near Turbid Lake and may reach the East Entrance Road. A major run occurred in the Jones Creek area within 2 miles of Pahaska Tepee. Engines and crews were sent to the area for structure protection. The fire could reach Pahaska today. 1352 firefighters, 35 engines, 7 bulldozers, and 3 helicopters.
Fan Fire: 23,325 acres. Started June 25. The fire is reported as contained. One crew is completing mop-up. 25 firefighters, 1 helicopter.
Hellroaring Fire: 57,470 acres (estimated 8,500 acres in Yellowstone NP.) Started August 15. A planned backfire did not occur due to unfavorable conditions. The backfire will be tried again today. Crews burned out around Buffalo Plateau cabin. Tuesday night this fire joined with the Storm Creek Fire. 628 firefighters, 5 helicopters.
Huck Fire: 56,345 acres. Started August 21. Caused the evacuation of Flagg Ranch. Spreading SE into Teton Wilderness and N across the Snake River into Yellowstone National Park. Fire had pushed around Pinyon Pk. into Gravel Ck. Fire is exhibiting erratic behavior. 640 firefighters, 6 engines, 5 helicopters.
North Fork Fire: 145,800 acres. Started July 22 by human. Split from Wolf Lake Fire at Gibbon Falls. The fire has spotted to within 3/4 mile of Old Faithful Area. The area is being evacuated this morning. Sprinklers have been installed under powerlines. A major run to the NE occurred in the Mt. Holmes area. West Yellowstone and Island Park areas had little activity. 1608 firefighters, 39 engines, 22 bulldozers, and 6 helicopters.
Snake River Complex: 205,800 acres. Red Fire started July 1. Shoshone Fire started June 23. Joined August 10. Falls Fire started July 12. Red-Shoshone joined the Mink Fire on August 31. Acreage includes Continental-Ridge and Mink Creek fires. Fire activity was generally light yesterday. Some small spots are being worked today. Winds were mostly light. Mink Fire crews were successful in keeping the fire in the Yellowstone River drainage. Fire is most active in Pass Ck. and Silvertip Ck. 703 firefighters, 16 engines, 6 helicopters.
Storm Creek Fire: 65,000 acres. Started July 3. A spot fire has moved just N of Silver Gate. Fire is also within one mile of Cooke City. All non-essential fire personnel and all area residents have been evacuated. No structures were lost overnight. Hgwy 212 from Tower Junction to the Sunlight Basin Cutoff (Hgwy 296) is closed. 1236 firefighters, 48 engines, 4 dozers, 7 helicopters.
Wolf Lake Fire: 61,200 acres. Divided from North Fork Fire at Gibbon Falls. The fire is advancing NE into Carnelian Ck. and in the area of Dunraven Pass and Mt. Washburn. Line on the S held well. Line around Canyon Village also held. More engines arrived form California. 675 firefighters, 30 engines, 3 helicopters.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
September 7
Park service,” A woman’s voice filtered through the cabin door.
Clare rolled out of bed and her feet found the cold floor. The bed with Devon’s duffel bag and backpack was still empty. “Yeah?”
“Sorry to disturb you, but this is official business.” She threw on a T-shirt and sweat pants. Outside, morning was a gray streak against smoke hanging in the Firehole Valley.
The young woman at her door wore a ranger’s uniform, complete with a brimmed hat of