Firefighters Will Eliminate Hot Spots Today Near Red Top
The 30-acre Rock Creek Fire continues to smolder on the Bridger-Teton National Forest approximately 10-miles south of Jackson, Wyoming, on Munger Mountain. The fire was discovered around 4:30pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012 burning in sagebrush, aspen and grasses on the west side of Munger mountain, roughly half a mile south of the Red Top Meadows subdivision. Firefighters from the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Teton Interagency Firefighters and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS from Teton County, Wyoming all responded and immediately began supressing the blaze. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
Sunday, September 30, crews will continue the supression efforts and provided that weather and fuels cooperate, they will begin mop-up actions. Mop-up activities occur once the initail threat of a fire advance has diminished and firefighters can safely and effectively focus their efforts on control and containment of the fire. In the work Sunday morning, firefighters will begin to eliminate any hot pockets and stir ashes and burned stumps to make sure that the heat is dissipated and winds won’t rekindle the fire.
Residents can expect to see smoke and fire apparatus in the area. Recreationists are asked to use caution in the area and to stay clear of fire operations and be alert for large fire equipment opperating in the vicinity. There are hazards associated with recreation in a recently burned area. Falling trees, reduced visibility due to swirling ashes and smoke, rolling burned debris, and unexpected pockets of heat remaining in a burned area can be risks that Forest visitors may encounter if they enter a recently burned area.
The fire danger for the Bridger-Teton remains at ‘Very High’ and partial fire restrictions are still in place for the Forest. In those restrictions, open burning is stricktly prohibited unless you are in a designated, developed campground and utilizing a provided, permanent campfire structure. Open campfires are not allowed in dispersed or undeveloped areas of the Forest.
