Wildfire Doused Near Jackson

Firefighters from Jackson Hole Fire/EMS were joined by Teton Interagency Fire Crews and the interagency helicopter Sunday to douse a wildfire near Spring Creek Ranch sparked by an apparent electrical malfunction.  Jackson Hole Fire Chief Willie Watsabaugh says the call came in at about 10:45 am and crews declared it out at about 2:20 pm.  He says even though it posed no immediate threat to buildings, conditions were right for it to run because of the west-facing slope, tinder dry conditions, and steep terrain.  As a result, he says the helicopter was quickly ordered in and stopped the spread with water drops on the head of the fire. Altogether, the fire blackened about two acres of sage and grass before it was contained.  Watsabaugh says the relationship between the federal firefighters and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS is really valued at times like this.  Watsabaugh says the department trains with them, the two agencies work together well and know each other well,  and the department is very lucky to have such a relationship. Watsabaugh says with the extended hot, dry conditions of the past few weeks, the fuels in the area are curing out very fast and any fire start now can be expected to result in significant growth very quickly.  Watsabaugh says that’s why it is more important than ever for residents and visitors to observe the fire restrictions that are in place throughout the county, on the forest and in the park.