The Little Horsethief fire, which began Saturday afternoon near the mouth of Wilson Canyon, is threatening the Snow King ski area in Jackson. The fire began near the mouth of Wilson Canyon and has grown from 300 acres on Saturday night, to 800 acres by Sunday afternoon.
Officials were forced to close most trails in the Greater Snow King Recreation Area,the Snow King resort is closed and has filled its snowmaking lines with water. The Fire is a threat to a major communication site on Snow King Mountain, and crews were preparing for a worst-case scenario on Sunday due to forecasts of high winds and the possibility of embers being blown onto the mountain. Bridger-Teton National Forest Recreation Manager Linda Merigliano stated that the U.S. Forest Service had water trucks and other equipment as high on the ski hill as possible on Sunday afternoon. Fire officials stated that the north flank of the blaze was about 1 mile southeast of Snow King. A Jackson Hole Fire/EMS engine burned on Saturday night after an ember caused the engine to go up in flames. The primary objectives of the firefighters are the protection of South Highway 89, the Snow King Ski Area and structures and infrastructure. As of Sunday night (9/9) the fire was 15% contained.
Firefighters have identified their primary objectives to include the protection of structures and infrastructure, the protection of South Highway 89, and Snow King ski area.
The most recent update from the Teton County Emergency Management (10:11 a.m. MDT): “Evacuation Advisory remains in place at this time per the local structure protection group led by Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. Residents in east Jackson will see emergency services apparatus in the area taking preventative fire measures on properties. At this time, the Type II Incident Management Team is managing the wildfire, with local responders working in concert with the Type II Incident Management Team to plan/respond for structure protection and potential evacuation in town. The Town of Jackson and local emergency services greatly appreciate the public’s proactive response to these advisories.”
Stay safe in Jackson.
You can follow the Teton County Emergency Management on twitter for updates at @tetonwyo_em
Fire continues march north, Jackson Hole Daily
Teton County Emergency Management
Jackson Hole Daily News Updates
Wildfire Forces Evacuation of Snow King, First Tracks!! Online Media
About 50 people evacuated by wildfire near Jackson, Associated Press (Courtesy KGWN)
Snow King, Cache closed; high winds feared, JH Underground