The Pack Trail Fire began in mid-September but erupted over the weekend in heavy timber in a remote area of Bridger-Teton National Forest west of Dubois. On Sunday, Sept. 29, it blew past pre-positioned crews, with some wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour.
The fire is zero percent contained as of Monday afternoon, but fire activity has slowed since the weekend.
Fremont County has issued evacuation notices for multiple areas along a 12-mile stretch of the popular highway corridor, including subdivisions at Timberline Ranch, Rawhide Ranch, Lava Mountain, Long Creek, Old KOA and Triangle C Ranch as well as Brooks Lake Road, East & West Pinnacle Drive and Breccia Drive.
Some of these subdivisions were evacuated just weeks ago when the neighboring Fish Creek Fire threatened homes. The Fish Creek Fire started Aug. 16 and is nearly contained, but continues to burn three miles north of the Pack Trail Fire.
The temporary highway closure was lifted Sunday afternoon but smoke is still limiting driver visibility. A large swath of Bridger-Teton National Forest and Shoshone National Forest remain closed due to fire activity.
Fire crews are working to protect structures and garner additional fire personnel and resources.
For updated information on the Fish Creek Fire and the Pack Trail Fire, visit INCIWEB.
