Firefighters have brought one of the region’s two massive wildfires under control.
Authorities reported Monday morning that the Split Top Fire, which was burning 14 miles northwest of Aberdeen, had been contained.
Since it began Saturday night, the fire has burned over 5,400 acres of sagebrush and grassland. Firefighters are still battling the flames, and the wildfire is expected to be mostly extinguished by Tuesday.
The Willow Creek Fire, which is burning near the Idaho-Wyoming border about 35 miles southeast of Soda Springs, is the region’s other major wildfire. It has caused evacuations and is completely out of control.
The situation is improving in the Big Desert northwest of Aberdeen, where firefighters launched a dramatic counteroffensive against the Split Top Fire, using controlled backburns to combat the massive blaze.
The fire, which was reported around 9 p.m. Saturday near Split Top and Arco-Minidoka roads, continued to burn on Sunday as firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management, Bannock and Power counties worked desperately to establish containment lines.
Crews successfully conducted backburn operations off existing fuel breaks, which had been built since 2012 specifically for situations like this, in a strategic move that demonstrates years of planning. The fuel breaks on Arco-Minidoka Road and Split Top Road were critical as firefighters literally fought fire with fire, using controlled burns to deny fuel to the advancing wildfire.
The fire destroyed one structure, a well house, and threatened many others before being extinguished. However, there were no evacuations.
To gain an advantage over the wildfire, firefighters had to navigate rough terrain and contend with strong winds.
Meanwhile, near the Idaho-Wyoming border, the Willow Creek Fire has exploded after igniting on Friday, scorching nearly 4,000 acres with zero containment. The fire is burning in the timber southwest of Smoot, Wyoming.
The wildfire has forced dramatic highway closures and mandatory evacuations, threatening homes and other structures. Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, no structures were damaged or destroyed by the fire as of Monday morning.
The fire’s aggressive behavior forced the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close an eight-mile stretch of Highway 89 Saturday evening.
As the flames spread, officials extended the closure to include 21 miles of the highway late Saturday night, completely cutting off transportation due to dangerous fire behavior, choking smoke, and intensive suppression efforts.
Highway 89 reopened at 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, but motorists should be aware that the road is still smoke-filled and is being used by several fire trucks and other emergency vehicles as part of the fire suppression effort.
Authorities warn that future road closures may be required depending on the fire’s behavior.
All residents from Highway 89 south near Gomm’s Pond Lane to Salt Pass are being evacuated, and an emergency shelter has been set up at the National Guard Readiness Center in Afton, Wyoming.
Residents west of Highway 89, from Reeves-Schwab Lane south to Gomm’s Pond, should be prepared to evacuate if the fire spreads.
The battle to contain the Willow Creek Fire on Saturday evening was especially intense, with crews bringing in firefighting aircraft to drop retardant on the blaze.
The effort was successful in keeping the fire to the west of Highway 89, away from populated areas.
Over 60 firefighters are currently battling the Willow Creek Fire, which includes smokejumpers and a 20-person hand crew. Several helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers are assisting the firefighting effort from above.
Rain showers are expected this week, which should help firefighters contain the blaze.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of either fire.
As of Monday morning, there were no reports of injuries from either blaze.
Officials are focusing on public safety, advising people to avoid both fire areas and warning that drone flights over fires will ground critical aircraft support.
Authorities are reminding drone owners: “If you fly, we can’t.”
