Just as hundreds of wildland firefighting crews are getting a handle on multiple fires in the Bighorn Basin of northern Wyoming, spots in the tinderbox-dry Bridger-Teton National Forest are blowing up.
A new large and dangerous fire has flared up in the Star Valley about 4 miles south of Smoot, prompting an hourslong closure of Salt River Pass along U.S. Highway 89.
The Willow Creek Fire has grown from about 30 acres when discovered Friday to more than 3,800 acres by Saturday night with no containment, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
It’s burning through extremely dry timber and closed the highway for much of Saturday, with the road reopening after midnight Sunday.
But the fire has already changed the picturesque landscape of the southern end of the Star Valley, reports Star Valley Independent publisher Dan Dockstader.
“Folks, the South End that you know and love, with all of its beauty — everything on the west side (of the highway) has burned,” Dockstader posted to the newspaper’s Facebook page.
“As of 9:30 p.m., firefighters had prevented the fire from jumping the highway.”
Sunday morning, the Bridger-Teton National Forest was reporting that the fire remains unpredictable and dangerous. There are 61 firefighters on the Willow Creek Fire and more are on the way.
Officials also warn looky-loos not to impede traffic on Highway 89, noting that watching a wildfire isn’t safe or an appropriate spectator activity.
“Drivers are asked to not pull over or park on the side of the road to view fire operations, which would clutter the road and pose safety hazards to emergency personnel,” the Bridger-Teton National Forest reports.
“While all attempts will be made to keep the travel corridor open, additional temporary closures may be necessary if the fire is active near the road and poses a safety hazard to fire personnel or public vehicles,” the report adds.
Another fast-growing wildfire has blown up in Wyoming, this time in the Star Valley south of Smoot. The Willow Creek Fire has prompted evacuations and closed U.S. 89. (U.S. Forerst Service) 
Another fast-growing wildfire has blown up in Wyoming, this time in the Star Valley south of Smoot. The Willow Creek Fire has prompted evacuations and closed U.S. 89. (U.S. Forerst Service) 
Another fast-growing wildfire has blown up in Wyoming, this time in the Star Valley south of Smoot. The Willow Creek Fire has prompted evacuations and closed U.S. 89. (U.S. Forerst Service)
What Now?
All homes from milepost 75 south in the area of Gomm’s Pond Lane to the pass have been evacuated, and a shelter has been set up at the National Guard Readiness Center in Afton.
People living west of Highway 89 from Reeves-Schwab Lane south to Gomm’s Pond should be “set” to leave, which means an evacuation can come at any time.
Nevada Team 2, a Type 3 fire management team, has arrived to take control of the firefighting response and will take command Sunday evening.
The goal Sunday is to keep the Willow Creek Fire west of the highway, as well as protect people and property.
“Conditions may lead for fire growth and active fire behavior through (Sunday),” the national forest reports, adding there may be some help from the weather. “Widespread showers may reach the area as early as Monday, which could lead to more successful fire suppression efforts.”
Dollar Lake Fire
Meanwhile, people living within a 5-mile radius of Dollar Lake about 40 miles north of Pinedale remain evacuated from the 9,800-acre Dollar Lake Fire, which is burning on the east side of the Green River.
After making a run south early after it was discovered Thursday, it has since made a run to the east toward the Square Top Mountain area.
Still listed by the National Interagency Fire Center as a little less than 10,000 acres, the fire remains 0% contained and is throwing up large plumes of smoke.
At the Kendall Valley Lodge just across from the fire on the west side of the river, co-owner Sandy Wright reports multiple new columns of smoke rising from the area throughout Saturday.
A Type 3 team is on the scene and managing the response, warning residents and campers to “stay well away from the fire area, especially the area between the fire and the Bridger Wilderness boundary.”
Other Fires
While the fires on the east side of Wyoming are growing and uncontained, the largest active wildfire in the state grows closer to full containment.
The Red Canyon Fire burning about 11 miles east of Thermopolis hasn’t grown for the second straight day and remains at just under 125,000 acres, according to a Sunday report from the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 2, which is in charge of the fire.
It’s also 75% contained, a significant boost from the 53% reported a day earlier.
“Acreage remains the same (Sunday) as crews continue to detect no heat,” the team reports. “Containment increased to 75%. Crews primarily focused on patrolling and mop up as they start to transition to suppression repair.”
As containment increases, firefighters are shifting their focus to more repair of the land, “which will include rehabilitation of the more than 110 miles of dozer line constructed during fire suppression efforts.”
The complex management team also explains what’s mean by containment. Being 75% contained doesn’t mean the fire is 75% out, it means that 75% of the fire’s perimeter is under control and secured to the point firefighters are confident it will hold.
• There is no new information reported Sunday for the Sleeper Ranch fire northeast of Meeteetse. It remains at about 20,600 acres and 90% contained.
• The Spring Creek Fire about 10 miles southeast of Ten Sleep is 95% contained at about 3,600 acres.
The total estimated cost of the five active fires is about $17.5 million so far, the National Interagency Fire Center reports. There isn’t an estimate yet for the Dollar Lake Fire.
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
