Fontenelle fire forces LaBarge area closure

Bridger Teton National Forest fire managers have ordered an area closure as a result of the Fontenelle Fire in Lincoln and Sublette Counties. The closure includes the Middle Piney Road, part of Coal Creek Road and Indian Creek Road and the LaBarge Creek Road. The Forest is closed from the boundary to the Tri Basin Divide. Recreationists can still utilize the Smith’s Fork Road, but will not be allowed to travel south in the LaBarge area.

Three helicopters, five engines and two crews of 20 firefighters each are battling the fire. Using infrared mapping information, forest officials now estimate the fire has grown to 12,000 acres It was first spotted around 4:30 pm Sunday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire is located approximately 33 miles northwest of LaBarge, Wyoming and is burning in heavy dead and fallen timber.

The Forest has requested a Type 2 Incident Management Team to assist in fire suppression. Forest spokesperson Mary Cernicek says a Type 2 team is needed when an incident extends beyond the capabilities for local control and is expected to go into multiple operational periods.

She said the incident may require regional or national resources to effectively manage the operations, command, and general staffing.

Fire danger is rated “high” in western Wyoming this week.