The Horse Fire burning in the Big Piney Ranger District of Bridger-Teton National Forest has grown to 2,251 acres, according to a recent update from BTNF officials.
Sparked by lightning on Friday, June 13, the wildfire is burning in heavy, dry timber about 10 miles west of Merna, 5 miles northeast of McDougal Gap, and 2 miles west of Prospect Peak.
Since Friday, the blaze has expanded by nearly 400 acres. Over 224 personnel are on the ground, using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to locate hotspots beyond the established control lines. According to officials, erratic winds over the weekend created difficult conditions, and engines were deployed to monitor the fire’s perimeter.
“Erratic winds have the potential to send embers causing spot fires well beyond containment lines,” BTNF stated in their latest report.
Thankfully, a low-pressure system has since moved out of the region, bringing cooler temperatures, calmer winds, and excellent humidity recovery, conditions more favorable for containment efforts.
An emergency closure order remains in effect in the area to ensure the safety of both firefighters and the public. Fire danger across the BTNF is currently rated as ‘moderate.‘
We’ll continue to provide updates as conditions evolve.
