Kinky Creek Fire swells to 350 acres in Bridger-Teton National Forest

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — Teton Interagency Fire crews are battling the Kinky Creek Fire, a fast-moving, 350-acre wildfire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest east of Jackson.

The fire broke out around 4:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23, in the Gros Ventre Wilderness on the Jackson Ranger District, according to a news release from the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Originally estimated at just 5 to 20 acres, the blaze grew rapidly overnight. Fire officials report that the flames are actively spreading through dense timber along a steep slope near upper Gros Ventre Falls, roughly three miles west of Darwin Ranch.

Yesterday, smokejumpers established a secure anchor point to build a fireline at the rear of the fire. Crews are now working to keep the flames on the west side of the Gros Ventre River, while additional resources set up structure protection around Darwin Ranch.

More than 50 personnel, including smokejumpers, fire engine crews, support staff, and air assets like a Type 3 helicopter, are currently on the scene. Fire crews expect additional reinforcements to arrive today to bolster containment efforts. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will arrive on Wednesday evening to assume command, bringing in a multi-agency group of specialists equipped to handle moderately complex, longer-term incidents.

According to the release, fire managers are currently using two strategies to contain the blaze. Currently, crews are using a combination of direct extinguishment, tackling the active flame front head-on, and indirect confinement, building firelines ahead of the flames to steer and trap the fire.

The public is strictly urged to avoid Kinky Creek Road; the Kinky Creek and Clear Creek trails; and Brewster, Lunch, and Chateau lakes so emergency crews can operate safely. The U.S. Forest Service is expected to announce a formal closure order for the area in the coming hours, according to the release.