Winds out of the north and west Friday contributed to the Pilgrim Creek Fire’s new growth in the Teton Wilderness from 80 acres to 100 acres. The fire was able to consume a pocket of partially burned vegetation along the western perimeter of its edge and displayed a column visible throughout the northern Jackson Hole. The fire is burning within several stands of mixed timber. When these trees torch there is great potential for the fire to spot ahead contribute to new fire growth and an increase in acres and this can be expected over the next few days. As a precaution, Pilgrim Creek Road in the park is closed until further notice, and the forest has also closed the Pilgrim Creek Trails, including West Fork, Middle Fork, and main Pilgrim. Currently, there are eight wildland firefighters from the Caribou Targhee National Forest and the Teton Interagency Wildland Fire Module. This crew is supporting the evacuation efforts of public, helping to deliver intel on the fire’s activity back to fire managers in town and provide point protection to keep the fire in check. The cause of the fire is undetermined and currently and under investigation. When determining wildland fire cause, investigators look at lightning maps and use a methodical, systematic approach to determine what caused the ignition of a wildfire. Lightning was in the area 10 days prior to the detection of the Pilgrim Fire; however, several other environmental and human factors are also considered to be suspect at this time. As with any wildfire detection and incident, the public’s help with any information is always helpful and appreciated.
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