Merna Butte Fire update for August 11, 2024
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
August 11, 2024
MERNA, WYOMING — Bridger-Teton National Forest firefighters, Bureau of Land Management Wyoming High Desert District, Sublette County Unified Fire and Sublette County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Merna Butte Fire on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Firefighters are working to suppress the fire and keep it from moving towards infrastructure against the Forest boundary. Initial response yesterday included three air tankers, two helicopters and helitack crews, six fire engines, and a fire module. Additional resources have been ordered.
Air attack operations dropped in retardant lines around the fire area yesterday. One common way fire retardant works is by reducing the receptiveness of fuels in the surrounding area to slow the rate of combustion and limit the spread of flames. Fire managers and personnel are working to tie those retardant lines in with hose line, natural holding features and fence line in the area.
The fire was reported in the early morning hours of August 10, 2024, and is currently 77 acres in size, burning in heavy timber and dead and down fuels on Merna Butte. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office has coordinated pre-evacuation notices and utilizes the "Ready, Set, Go" alert system. Everyone in a one-mile radius of Merna Butte is now in the "Set" stage for possible evacuation. Everyone in a five-mile radius of Merna Butte is under "Ready" and should be monitoring the situation for possible evacuations. Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and Sublette County Emergency Management will continue to update the public. The emergency alerts are available at https://www.sublettecountywy.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=5.
An emergency road closure is in effect. Roberts Road is closed, located off the Daniel-Merna Road (CR-23-112). Firefighters are using the Horse Creek Road (FS 10389), and everyone is asked to remain clear of the area.
For other news, events and information about the Bridger-Teton National Forest, call 307-739-5500, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf and follow us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) @BridgerTetonNF.
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