Contact: Charlotte Reynolds
Phone: 307 690 6423
Email: creynolds@tetonwyo.org
For regular updates to the Horsethief Canyon Fire check http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for information or sign up for text/email updates from Teton County Emergency Management at www.nixle.com.
CLICK HERE for instructions on how to prepare for an evacuation.
Do not turn off gas or electricity. Lower Valley has taken responsibility for turning off gas if needed.
UPDATE 9/17/12 10:45a-With reduction in fire activity, and the fact that there are no evacuation advories or orders in place, or anticipated, this will be the last update posted to this page. Should conditions change dramatically, we will again post updates. Fire information continues to be available at www.inciweb.org/incident/3241.
REMINDER- Given this week’s fire activity, the public is very aware of, and is reporting any fire activity they witness. Fire crews are investigating each of these reports, which reduces the number of resource available to aide in the response to the Horsethief Canyon Fire.
As we head into the weekend, fire officials ask residents to use extreme caution with any outdoor fires and ensure they know the fire restrictions for their location. Please help fire officials by checking tetonfores.com. Know Before You Go!
UPDATE 9/13/12 7:30p - The Evacuation Advisory for east Jackson has been lifted. At this time, there are NO Evacuation Advisories or Evacuation Orders in effect in Teton County.
Fire Chief Willy Watsabaugh feels confident with the firefighting efforts in this area, which is why he has decided to lift the Evacuation Advisory.
Emergency Management asks all residents of Teton County to be prepared, not only for wildfires but for all types of disasters all year around. September is National Preparedness Month, and you can visit www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn more. You can also register on our website for local and state contests to win disaster kits and other emergency preparedness prizes by clicking the link on the left side of the page.
Your local emergency services and the Type II Incident Management Team thank you for your continued attention, patience, and preparedness efforts.
UPDATE 9/13/12 4:10p- Fire crews are currently testing the Snow King Drive Structure Protection system to ensure proper protection, coverage and pressure. This testing is taking place only on Snow King Drive. It is expected to conclude by 4:30p.m. this afternoon. This testing is not scheduled for any other areas at this time. Should additional testing take place, a Nixle notice will be released. This is a test only. It is NOT an active fire suppression activity.
UPDATE 9/13/12 3:00p Due to the successful efforts on the northern portion of the fire, firefighters are focusing more attention on the southern perimeter of the fire. With the decrease in the evacuation advisory area in east Jackson, some of the engines and crews that have been patrolling that area will be repositioned to the Game Creek area. Firefighters are performing evaluations on structures in the Game Creek subdivision so firefighters can better prepare in the event there is a need to protect structures in the area. Firefighters performing the assessment will also provide tips to homeowners on how to prepare in the event fire moves down the Game Creek drainage. Law enforcement officers will also be driving through the area to be prepared should evacuation orders be issued.
Horsethief Canyon Fire Managers invite the public to attend a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson Hole Middle School. Officials will be on hand to answer questions. The meeting is expected to last no more than one-hour.
Officials remind residents that there are many emergency vehicles on the roadways. Use caution. For the latest fire information visit www.inciweb.org/incident/3241
UPDATE 9/13/12 7:05a - The Evacuation Advisory remains unchanged from yesterday evening. See previous update and attached map for details.
The Structure Protection Group that has been working solely in the east Jackson area is being broken into two sectors due to the success of firefighting efforts near east Jackson. The second sector will be working in areas south of Jackson such as the Game Creek subdivision conducting structure assessments and wildfire mitigation. Residents are urged to use caution and drive slowly around firefighters and emergency vehicles.
Additionally, the Elk Refuge Road will be closed to pedestrians and bicycles (open to cars with momentary closures) from the intersection of E Broadway/Elk Refuge Rd to the Miller House. This closure is being enacted to allow air resources to safely land and take off from the helibase at this location.
Travelers on S Highway 89 south of Jackson are also urged to slow down, turn on headlights, and use caution due to the possibility of heavy smoke on the roadway in the next few days.
Your local emergency services and the Type II Incident Management Team thank you for your time and cooperation.
UPDATE 9/12/12 7:25p - The burnout operation that caused the large smoke plume early today was a successful operation. It has helped to improve the containment line on the west side of the fire.
The Evacuation Advisory area remains in the area enclosed by E Broadway to Rancher St to Cache Creek Dr to Redmond St to E Kelly Ave to Vine St. See map on Nixle site for details. We are aware that some users are having issues accessing the full size map on mobile phones. If you visit the site on a desktop/laptop computer, you can access the full size map.
This will be the last Nixle message of the evening, unless conditions change drastically.
UPDATE 9/12/12 3:35p - Firefighters are currently conducting burn out operations in the Five Meadow area on the fire to reinforce control lines. Smoke is visible from Jackson and surrounding area. For a view of the fire visit the Teton Pass Webcam (scroll to 3rd camera) http://www.wyoroad.info/highway/webcameras/WYO22TetonPass/WYO22TetonPass.html
Visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for latest info on the fire.
UPDATE 9/12/12 2:25p - The Evacuation Advisory area remains in the area enclosed by E Broadway to Rancher St to Cache Creek Dr to Redmond St to E Kelly Ave to Vine St. See map on Nixle site for details. We are aware that some users are having issues accessing the full size map on mobile phones. If you visit the site on a desktop/laptop computer, you can access the full size map.
Public Health officials are advising that people should avoid outdoor activity if the smoke is heavy. Keep windows and doors closed to keep smoke out.
St. John's Medical Center advises individuals experiencing medical issues related to smoke to contact their physician or a local urgent care center. In case of emergency related to smoke or other medical emergencies, dial 9-1-1 or visit the hospital emergency room.
UPDATE: 11:25a - Evacuation Advisory area remains same from the last update. If you are having trouble seeing the evacuation map in Nixle, click this link for the map
If it becomes necessary to issue an evacuation order, the intention is to issue it early enough to allow residents time to quickly return to their homes to get pets and/or pre-packed items. DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF WILDFIRE, THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE. If you are not comfortable with getting your pets or other items very quickly or the possibility that you may not be able to return to your home, you should not leave pets or important belongings at home.
Other important evacuation preparations include videotaping the contents of your home as documentation for your insurance company should your home be impacted by fire. This is actually a good practice for all residents to take in the event of any type of emergency, any time of year. Additionally, some homeowner's insurance policies will cover costs for lodging if an evacuation order is issued. Check with your insurance company to see if this applies to you. THERE ARE NO EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED AT THIS TIME IN TETON COUNTY.
For a complete list of evacuation preparations refer to www.tetonwyo.org/em
UPDATE 9/12/12 8:50a - Based on a careful analysis of current fire conditions and conferences between local emergency responders and the Type II Incident Management Team, Fire Chief Willy Watsabaugh has authorized a reduction in the size of the current Evacuation Advisory area in east Jackson.
The current Evacuation Advisory area boundary is now south of E Broadway, to east of Rancher St, to south of Cache Creek Dr, to west of Redmond St, to south of E Kelly Ave, to east of Vine St. Please see attached map for more details.
Everyone is reminded that Game Creek, Cache Creek, and Snow King mountain trails are still closed to use in order to allow for access of emergency apparatus.
Those that are still in an Evacuation Advisory area should continue to take the preparation steps that have been outlined in previous updates until that Advisory is lifted.
Your local emergency services and our Type II Incident Management Team would like to thank everyone in the community for your continued patience, understanding, and preparatory actions.
Stay tuned to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for fire information and www.tetonwyo.org/em for emergency preparedness information.
UPDATE 9/11/12 2:45p - Evacuation Advisory for east Jackson as outlined in attached map is still in effect. Stay tuned to Nixle for further information.
Clarification on "2 hour window" that was mentioned by Jackson Police Department at public meeting last night: if an evacuation is called for, notifications will be made door-to-door plus via other media. At that time, the public will be expected to immediately evacuate the area. IF TIME AND CONDITIONS ALLOW, law enforcement will allow people back into the area to gather other items, BUT THIS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. Just as previously advised, people living in the Evacuation Advisory area should plan on NOT being able to return to their home should an evacuation be ordered. Please continue to have plans for family, livestock, pets, and important documents/mementos.
We would once again like to thank the public for their attention, preparations, and cooperation.
9/11 12:45p.m. Residents of Pine, Spruce, Rodeo, and Wister Drives can expect to see fire crews in the area performing fire prevention actions. Be advised, the Evacuation Advisory area IS NOT expanding to this area. We are taking these measures due to availability of resources, not due to a change in fire conditions.
The Evacuation Advisory is still in effect for the area south of E Broadway, east of Redmond St, south of E Kelly, and east of Vine St. See attached map for details.
The public is reminded that there is a closure in effect for Cache and Game Creeks plus all trails on Snow King. Please respect these closures for your safety and the safety of the firefighters.
A reminder that the Evacuation Advisory has been lifted from Game Creek. Emergency Management reminds all residents of Teton County, no matter where they are or time of year, that they should have a preparedness kit, family disaster plan, and be informed about different disasters. Visit www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn about disaster preparedness for all residents.
9/11 10:37a.m. At this time, the Evacuation Advisory is still in effect for the area in east Jackson south of E Broadway, east of Redmond St, south of E Kelly, to east of Vine St.
East Jackson residents should expect to see increased numbers of wildland and structural fire crews in neighborhoods throughout the day today. These crews are performing community familiarization and preventative fire work on properties throughout the area.
Fire status remains relatively steady from yesterday. Local emergency services want residents in Evacuation Advisory area to remain vigilant and prepared for evacuation as outlined in previous updates. For information on fire status, visit www.inciweb.org and find the Horsethief Canyon Fire. You can also call the local Horsethief Canyon Information Center at 739-5577. Thank you for your time, patience, and preparedness.
