Horse Fire Expands to Over 1,300 Acres in Bridger-Teton National Forest

The Horse Fire, burning in the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, has grown significantly since it was first detected on Friday, June 14, Buckrail reports.

As of Wednesday, June 18, the fire has reached 1,356 acres and is currently 6% contained, according to the latest update from InciWeb.

Initially reported at just 3 acres, the fire expanded rapidly over the weekend—reaching 969 acres by Sunday. The fire remains active, with fire behavior including spotting and torching, and more than 200 personnel are working to contain it.

The US Forest Service has implemented an area closure surrounding the fire zone to ensure public safety and support firefighting efforts. Crews are employing a combination of direct and indirect strategies to manage the fire. According to the incident management team, the fire has been divided into two divisions:

• North Division: Crews are establishing control lines using existing trails, roads, and natural barriers. They are also tying their efforts into the burn scars from the 2007 Horse Creek Fire to help limit the fire’s spread.

• South Division: Firefighters are conducting minimal firing operations in the South Fork Horse Creek area to create strategic containment lines.

Weather conditions on Wednesday are not expected to assist significantly in firefighting efforts. The forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 74°F, low humidity, and only a 3% chance of precipitation. Winds are predicted to be around 9 miles per hour. Overnight temperatures will drop to 43°F, with clear skies and just a 1% chance of rain.

Fire danger ratings have increased regionally in response to current conditions. On Tuesday, Teton Interagency Fire raised the local fire danger level to “moderate,” while Yellowstone National Park elevated its fire danger to “high” as of Wednesday morning.

Officials continue to monitor the Horse Fire closely and encourage the public to stay informed through InciWeb and the Teton Interagency Fire website.