The Magpie Fire is now 2,900 acres
By ERIK NIELSEN
Idaho Falls Post Register (Idaho)
Copyright 2006 The Post Register
All Rights Reserved
The Magpie Fire in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park grew by several hundred acres Wednesday.
The weather - dry conditions and low humidity - fed the flames, according to a news release. Those conditions are expected to hang around for a few days, too.
The fire hasn’t shut down any entrances or roads, but visitors can expect to see plenty of smoke.
Yellowstone has had 13 fires this year, nine of which were lightning-caused. People started the rest.
Here’s a look at the other fires burning in our area:
Magpie Fire in Yellowstone National Park
Origin: July 17, by lightning
Location: seven miles east of Madison Junction
Size: 2,900
Resources: four personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: hiking trails near the blaze
Notes: The fire is being monitored and allowed to burn. It’s expected to grow in the next several days.
Horse Creek Fire in Bridger-Teton National Forest
Origin: Aug. 17, by lightning
Location: six miles northeast of Hoback Junction, in the Little Horse Creek Drainage of the Gros Ventre Wilderness
Size: 704 acres
Resources: 0 personnel
Containment: 25 percent
Closures: none
Notes: The fire is burning in very steep terrain. No buildings or private property are threat-
ened. Fire restrictions are in effect throughout the forest. Campfires, barbecues and charcoal grills are prohibited, but propane stoves are
allowed. Call (307) 739-5400 for more information.
Jim Creek Wildland Fire in the Bridger-Teton national forest
Origin: June 26, by lightning
Location: 24 miles north of Pinedale, Wyo.
Size: 2,800 acres
Resources: 24 personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: The Pot Creek Roads Nos. 714 and 713, Boulder Basin Road No. 716 at the junction with No. 717 and Jim Creek Roads No. 710 at junction with No. 711 have been closed to the public for safety.
Notes: Wind caused the fire to move toward the south. Two engines, an eight-person fuels crew, a six-person squad, two fire use monitors and two fire managers have been assigned and were on the fire as of Wednesday afternoon.
Potato Fire in Salmon-Challis National Forest
Origin: July 27, by lightning
Location: seven miles north of Stanley
Size: 18,236 acres
Resources: 128 personnel
Containment: 100 percent
Closures: Check with the local Forest Service office at (208) 756-5145 for specific road and trail closures.
Boundary Complex in Salmon-Challis National Forest
Origin: Aug. 8, by lightning
Location: 14 miles southeast of Landmark, two miles south of the Boundary Creek launch site on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
Size: 19,000 acres
Resources: 24 personnel
Containment: 10 percent
Closures: There is no public access to the Boundary Creek area. Boundary Creek Road is closed from Poker Meadows to the Middle Fork boat launch site and to Dagger Falls.
Notes: It consists of several small fires, including the Deer, Elk Horn, Lost Lake and Thicket fires. Rafters with permits to float the Middle Fork should call the Middle Fork Ranger District at (208) 879-4102. Active burning on the south and west flanks of the fire have caused it to grow during the past couple of days.
The Middle Fork Complex in Salmon-Challis National Forest
(includes Trail Creek Fire)
Origin: Aug. 7, by lightning
Location: 30 miles west of Challis
Size: 40,239 acres (Trail Creek Fire is 33,600)
Resources: 134 personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: Anyone heading to the area should check with the Middle Fork Ranger District at (208) 879-4102. Maps showing closures are posted at .
Teton Interagency North Zone Wildland Fire Use Projects
(Hechtman Lake and Survey fires in Grand Teton National Park and Pilgrim Fire in Bridger-Teton National Forest)
Origin: July 12 by lightning (Pilgrim); approximately Aug. 15 by lightning (Hechtman Lake); and Aug. 23 (Survey)
Location: west side of the park near the Caribou-Targhee National Forest boundary
Size: 1,062 acres
Resources: one engine crew, one fire-use manager
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: None
Notes: Crews are monitoring the fires and letting them burn. Park and forest users are encouraged to use caution. Fire activity is visible along the Teton Park Road and for travelers in and out of Yellowstone National Park. The Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park are in partial fire restrictions. Propane stoves are allowed, but building or maintaining any other fires is prohibited except in designated areas. For further information, call (307) 739-5400.
Stinky Fire in Yellowstone
Origin: Aug. 15, by lightning
Location: 19 miles southeast of Tower Junction
Size: 1,010 acres
Resources: seven personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: Trails near the fire have been closed. Contact Yellowstone’s Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 for up-to-date information.
Notes: The fire is being monitored, but officials are allowing it to burn.
Snowshoe Fire
Location: 18 miles east of Dubois
Size: 250 acres
Resources: four single engine air tankers, six engines and two dozers
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: none
Dune Fire
Location: 20 miles northwest of Ashton
Size: 125 acres
Resources: five engines, one dozer
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: none
Austin Fire
Location: 7 miles northeast of the town of Palisades
Size: 1 acre
Resources: One engine
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: none