Roosevelt Fire claims 20 homes

By Shane Sanderson
Casper Star-Tribune
Via Wyoming News Exchange
(Photo courtesy of the Pinedale Roundup)
 
A wildfire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest has now consumed more than 20 homes and nearly 50,000 acres, authorities said Tuesday afternoon.
The Roosevelt Fire has forced 500 people to evacuate their homes in the 10 days since it began roughly 30 miles south of Jackson. Authorities have not publicly identified the fire’s cause.
The more than 800 firefighters working the blaze have it about a quarter contained. Ten helicopters and multiple airplanes are assisting the 21 crews and 47 engines on the ground by spraying fire retardant and burning out potential fuel along the highway.
The blaze forced the closure of U.S. Highway 189/191.
Authorities have also disconnected power to the Kendall Valley/Upper Green areas and sprayed the power lines with fire retardant chemicals while clearing shrubs around the poles.
All of the homes that have been destroyed were in the Hoback Ranches subdivision. Power is also off in the subdivision, which was previously evacuated.
As of Friday, only three buildings — including two homes — had been consumed by the conflagration.
The fire has dampened in the Upper Hoback and Rolling Thunder areas and no additional buildings in the area were consumed.
Damaged cell phone infrastructure on Kismet Point has also meant limited or non-existent cell service in the area.
The fire prompted the evacuation of the small community of Bondurant and several rural subdivisions in the area.
Evacuations orders remain in place and shelters are available in Pinedale and Jackson Hole.
A public meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bondurant Elementary School.
Other fires are burning across Wyoming including the Marten Creek Fire (6,300 acres) and the Ryan Fire (19,962 acres).
“Public safety and firefighter safety are the top priority,” Gov. Matt Mead said. “I have asked that all resources necessary to fight these fires be made available. My heart is with those whose property and homes are in harm’s way and the firefighters working to protect them.”
Mead visited the area Tuesday along with local officials including state Rep. Albert Sommers and Sublette County Commissioner Joel Bousman.