Fire Location Graphics:
General Fire Location Map
Half Moon Fire Map
Triangle Fire Map

Most Recent Information

Earlier fire updates:
Monday, August 14, 6 pm, 9 am
Sunday, August 13, 9 pm, 4 pm, 2:30 pm
Saturday, August 12, 11 pm

Earlier Fire Pictures

Fires at a Glance - More firefighting crews brought in - Fire Basecamp moved to Sandy Beach on Fremont Lake 
Tuesday, August 15th, 10:00 am

Summary: The Special Closure Order is still in effect for the Half Moon & Triangle Lakes fire areas. Only authorized firefighting personnel are allowed into the area. Visitors are being evacuated as they are encountered. One of two 20-man fire crews arrived today to help with the Half Moon fire. The second is in route.

Closure Map - Revised 8/14/00 at 8 am
Closure Order

Half Moon Fire (Bridger-Teton National Forest, not in Wilderness Area):
Approximately 520 acres (digitized Monday)
25% contained, holding west and north ridges, northeast side most active now
Location: On northeast end of Half Moon Lake on both sides of Pole Creek drainage, still on the west side of Fayette Lake.
One of two-20 man fire fighting crews arrived today, Tuesday, the other is in route. Fire basecamp has been moved to Sandy Beach Day Use Area on Fremont Lake. The northeast boundary is the more active portion of the fire now. Half Moon Lake Resort personnel are being very helpful in transporting fire fighting equipment & personnel across the lake to the fire, supplying hoseline, and packing equipment & supplies to various locations on the fire. Approximately 35 people on fire at present time for suppression, support & overhead. A larger helicopter with larger capacity bucket is now being used, and an even larger one has been requested. 

Triangle Fire (Within Bridger Wilderness Area, Bridger-Teton National Forest):
Approximately 105 acres (digitized Monday)
0% controlled, hasn't grown much from yesterday
Location: Between Long Lake/Upper Long Lake & Triangle Lake, approximately 2 miles east & 1 mile north of the head end of Fremont Lake.
No firefighters on this fire at the present time. Unable to do more without helicopter support due to very steep, dangerous terrain. All manpower & other resources are presently on the Half Moon fire which has a higher priority. No threat to structures at this time. High potential to grow. 

"No, the fires didn't shrink overnight." said Cindy Stein, Logistics & Information Officer for the Half Moon/Triangle fires, commenting on the revised acreages for the two fires on the District. Forest Service personnel have digitized the fire area in order to get official fire size acreages. These are digitized measurements based on best guesses of fire boundary lines drawn on maps from helicopter and ground observations. The fires are spread out and some spotting is occuring, so boundaries are very loose and change constantly. 

"Our major effort today is to concentrate on the northeast side and keep the fire on the west of Fayette Lake." said Cindy Stein, Logistics & Information Officer for the Half Moon/Triangle fires. "The primary portion of fuels are burned out. The problem is if it gets out to the northeast and hooks around. We would be in trouble. We have good black line on the north and west edges. This fire continues to be a very high priority on the Forest"

One of two 20-man firefighting crews arrived today to assist the 17 firefighters who are already on the ground, bringing the total to 37 firefighters. One crew is from Washington and the other from Utah. The second 20-man team should arrive this afternoon. A Type 1 helicopter has been ordered, which will have an even larger bucket capacity. It is uncertain yet if that helicopter will become available. 

Four EMTs are on the fire now and an evacuation Plan has been created in cooperation with the local ambulance personnel. "Our main concern for our two new crews is adapting to the high altitude here." said Stein. 

Local outfitters & guides have been very cooperative in rerouting their trips and going into alternate areas. "People should have alternate plans, and then alternate plans for those in case the fire situation changes. Our outfitters are in direct contact with us. The backpackers don't have that luxury." said Stein. Backcountry hikers are being contacted by Forest Service personnel and Sublette County Search & Rescue members to inform them of the fire danger and Closure Order. They are being advised on alternate areas to go into and trails to take. Some backpackers who entered the wilderness at Elkhart Park, and still have vehicles parked there, have been contacted in Titcomb Basin and told the Forest Service that they are aware of the danger and do not plan to try and hike back. They understand that their vehicles parked at the trailhead are at risk if the fire takes off. Understandable, many people are very concerned about the fire situation. "We can't tell what these fires are going to do. Check with us daily. We want to minimally jeopardize our people and the public. Skyline Drive is the only exit out. If the fire hooks around and takes off, that exit may be cut off." emphasized Stein.

When Pinedale Online talked to the folks at Half Moon Lake Resort this morning on the phone, they asked us to pass along their gratitude to everyone who has offered to help. "Thank you to the community for all the offerings of assistance. We haven't had to use any of it yet. As soon as this is all over, we'll open up again and celebrate." said Aaron Gesch, manager of Half Moon Resort. The photos used above of the retardant drop and pontoon boat Command Center are by Half Moon Resort taken in the past couple of days. Half Moon Resort has been extremely helpful in assisting the Forest Service with their firefighting efforts, providing transportation, and packers, as well as the use of the pontoon boat for the Command Center which has been based out of the middle of Half Moon Lake. "It's the best view of the fire."said Stein. The Command Center was moved to the Sandy Beach Picnic Area on Fremont Lake yesterday to accommodate the larger crews coming in for the fire. Half Moon Resort staff is continuing to stay at the lodge to assist in the firefighting efforts. Their guests were moved into town on Monday for safety reasons.

To date, there have not been any fire related accidents for either the Half Moon or Triangle Lakes fires. Anyone with concerns can contact the Sublette County Sheriff's office at 307-367-4378, or the Pinedale Ranger District, 307-367-4326. Hikers in the wilderness who may have cell phones and can get a signal out can call 911 and ask to be routed to the Sublette County Sheriff's office if they have concerns.

Earlier fire updates:
Monday, August 14, 6 pm & 9 am
Sunday, August 13, 9 pm, 4 pm, 2:30 pm
Saturday, August 12, 11 pm

More area fire graphics:
National Interagency Fire Center Large Wildland Fire Map
National Interagency Fire Center web site (ww.nifc.gov)

Pursuant to 36CFR 26.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on the area, roads and trails described in this order within the Bridger-Teton National Forest until further notice.
1. Going into or being upon an area which is closed for the protection of public health or safety.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from this order.
1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing or otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Description of Area:
T34N, R107W, Section 6
T34N, R108W, Section 1-5, 9-12
T35N, R107W, Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, 31
T35N, R108W, Sections 1-17, 20-29, 32-36
T36N, R107W, Section 31
T36N, R108W, Sections 28, 29, 31, 32, 33
Purpose: The purpose is to protect human life and provide for firefighter and public safety during fire fighting and mop-up operations.
Violations of these prohibitions is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine or not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an organization or imprisonment of not more than 6 months.