Incident Publication

Forest Service News Release

Public Affairs Officer: Mary Cernicek

(307) 739-5564

Mary.Cernicek@usda.gov

Bridger-Teton National Forest Begin Prescribed Fires on Star Valley Front

Favorable weather conditions in place for fuels reduction work

Afton,Wyo., March 20, 2025— The Bridger-Teton National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this month and into April. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to implement up to 2,500 acres Prescribed Burn in Unit 2. Unit 2 is within the Star Valley Front Vegetation Restoration Project. Star Valley Front, Unit 2 is comprised of the southwest facing slopes visible from Afton and Grover. Unit 2 also includes south facing slopes in the Swift Creek Drainage which is an important watershed for the community of Afton. Reducing fuel loading on the landscape can decrease the extent and severity of future wildfire. This provides for both Firefighter safety and for resource protection.

Another important purpose is to improve the vigor of vegetation on mule deer and elk winter and transition range, which is particularly relevant given the great interest in deer and elk populations in the Star Valley area.

There may be temporary trail and road closures periodically during the day as equipment and firefighters are working in the area. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Residents can expect smokey conditions the day of the burn and into the overnight hours. Some smoke may exist the following day but should dissipate considerably thereafter. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. 

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled. Firefighters will use the snow as a hold feature to prevent fire spread outside the unit. 

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. 

Highlights: Growth on the Big Ridge Fire was minimal yesterday. However, we are entering a period of warming and drying with windy conditions that will lead to increased fire activity through the weekend.  The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area between Sarah’s Creek and Walnut Fork, north of Warwoman Creek. 

Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire and yesterday crews worked to improve these lines. Firefighters scouted opportunities to directly attack the fire, but it is burning in steep and rocky terrain with difficult access, which makes indirect tactics a more viable option.  For that reason, crews are working on indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation later in the week. Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather:  Today’s forecast calls for 70 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 20%, and winds will be west-southwest with speeds of 12 mph. Gusts will reach as high as 32 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, with the next chance of rain on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 7). 

More Information: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov Fire Information: 770-530-3950                          

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/gachf-big-ridge-fire

Acres: 200 acres                                                                                              Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 109 

Containment: 0%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources:      5 crews | 2 engines | 1 dozer | 2 helicopters 

Highlights: A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Big Ridge Fire on Monday, March 24. The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area.  Active fire behavior was seen along the northern portion of the fire yesterday on the west side of Big Ridge, and two helicopters were used to check fire growth to the north. Both ground and aviation resources are working to establish control lines. 

Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire. Steep and rocky terrain paired with active fire behavior are dictating indirect tactics in many areas of the fire, along with a high concentration of hazardous standing dead trees.  These dead fuels contribute to a high spotting potential.  Moderate to abnormally dry drought with drier than normal fuel conditions are causing the fire to be resistant to control. Today, crews will be preparing indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation. Four other wildfires are being managed by the team, but these other fires are contained and being patrolled and mopped up.  Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather: A light rain fell overnight but only amounted to .13 inches.  The effects of this rain are not expected to last long.  Today’s forecast calls for 65 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 25%, and winds will be southwest in the morning, changing to northwest in the afternoon.  Speeds will be 5-10 mph with gusts to 26 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, with the next chance of rain on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 86). 

More Information: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov Fire Information: 770-530-3950                          

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/gachf-big-ridge-fire

The Roosevelt National Forest is closely monitoring local conditions to resume prescribed fire operations on the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn near Red Feather Lakes as early as Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Prescribed fires are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

The burn is located east and southeast of Red Feather Lakes. This project is a continuation of burning that took place over recent years, all located south of County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road). This area will close to the public throughout operations for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Fire managers have been carefully monitoring conditions within the project area, including favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, relative humidity), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and required staffing. Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning is halted if conditions fall outside of the required prescriptions.

People in the surrounding area should expect to see smoke when operations are taking place. Smoke may also impact those using the Dowdy Lake and West Lake recreation areas. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit Wood smoke and your health.

To receive updates, follow us on Facebook and X and join our email list through Constant Contact and select list "Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 14 to Wyoming Border (Red Feather Lakes)".

Firefighters from the Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts as well as forest fuels crew Module 8 successfully completed 59 acres of prescribed burning in the Bartlett Springs area. This project marks significant progress to reduce fuels and prepare the site for reforestation as well as future broadcast burning. Smoke impacts have been minimal and confined primarily to the Bartlett Springs/Long Valley area. Today and tomorrow crews will be mopping up and patrolling the unit. 

3/20/2025

2:30pm

Size: 9858 acres

Containment: 95%

Date Started: 3/15/2025

Cause: Roadside Start

FINAL UPDATE

This will be the final update, barring any substantial changes to the fire. 

The fire has remained calm, with no issues from the increased wind speeds overnight. Air attack reports that there are no visible concerns. Resources on scene will be available for initial attack on any new wildfires.    

A more accurate estimate of acreage was achieved due to IR flights and on the ground mapping. A Post Fire Assessment Team (PFAT) completed damage assessments of structures affected by the fire. Multiple homes and outbuildings were lost or damaged. Details are below. 

Texas Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to provide post-fire assistance. 

The Red Cross shelter has been closed. 

Currently, food, water and other supply donations are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.

Weather: Chilly start this morning with light northerly winds and humidity around 50 percent. The winds may slightly rise mid-morning to around 10 mph through midday before weakening again through the afternoon with the directions shifting more easterly late afternoon and southeasterly into tonight. Minimum humidity levels this afternoon to around 15 percent.

Structures Threatened Originally: Approximately 50

Evacuations and closures: All evacuation orders have been lifted.  

Damages and Injuries: One minor injury to a firefighter, they are expected to make a full recovery.

Post Fire Assessment Results

9 total residences destroyed
- 7 occupied
- 2 confirmed unoccupied
2 residences damaged

Crabapple Fire Daily Update

3/19/2025

11:30am

Size: 9858 acres

Containment: 90%

Date Started: 3/15/2025

Cause: Roadside Start

The fire has remained calm, with no issues from the increased wind speeds overnight. Air attack reports that there are no visible concerns. Resources on scene will be available for initial attack on any new wildfires.    

A more accurate estimate of acreage was achieved due to IR flights and on the ground mapping. A Post Fire Assessment Team (PFAT) completed damage assessments of structures affected by the fire. Multiple homes and outbuildings were lost or damaged. Details are below. 

Texas Department of Emergency Management is working with residents to provide post-fire assistance. 

The Red Cross shelter has been closed. 

Currently, food, water and other supply donations are not needed. To help with recovery efforts from the Crabapple Fire, Gillespie County has partnered with the OneStar Foundation, Rebuild Texas to establish the Crabapple Disaster Fund. At this time, this is the best way to help. Donations can be made here: https://onestarfoundation.org/crabapple-fire-relief-fund/.

Weather: Widespread critical fire weather is expected today as a Pacific front brings an expansive swath of breezy northwesterly post-frontal winds and exceptionally dry air. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for all of South-Central Texas until 9 PM.

Structures Threatened Originally: Approximately 50

Evacuations and closures: Evacuations were made on an individual home basis. If you were evacuated you may return to your home as conditions allow. Be aware that there are still many hazards in the area. All roads have been re-opened, but please avoid the area if possible. 

Damages and Injuries: One minor injury to a firefighter, they are expected to make a full recovery.

PFAT Assessment Results

9 total residences destroyed
- 7 occupied
- 2 confirmed unoccupied
2 residences damaged
20 outbuildings destroyed
4 outbuildings damaged

SH 136 from Roosevelt Street in Borger to Bunavista, just west of Border and FM 1559 are closed due to visibility from smoke caused from the nearby wildfire. 

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will burn up to 10 acres located 2.5 miles west of Superior at the junction of Johnson Lane and Southside Road.  Smoke may be visible from Interstate 90, the town of Superior and the residents of Johnson Lane. This project is in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TUESDAY, MARCH 18.

HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CDT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19.