Full Notification

UPDATE 9/13/12 7:30p - The Evacuation Advisory for east Jackson has been lifted. At this time, there are NO Evacuation Advisories or Evacuation Orders in effect in Teton County.

Fire Chief Willy Watsabaugh feels confident with the firefighting efforts in this area, which is why he has decided to lift the Evacuation Advisory.

Emergency Management asks all residents of Teton County to be prepared, not only for wildfires but for all types of disasters all year around. September is National Preparedness Month, and you can visit www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn more. You can also register on our website for local and state contests to win disaster kits and other emergency preparedness prizes by clicking the link on the left side of the page.

Your local emergency services and the Type II Incident Management Team thank you for your continued attention, patience, and preparedness efforts.

UPDATE 9/13/12 4:10p- Fire crews are currently testing the Snow King Drive Structure Protection system to ensure proper protection, coverage and pressure. This testing is taking place only on Snow King Drive. It is expected to conclude by 4:30p.m. this afternoon. This testing is not scheduled for any other areas at this time. Should additional testing take place, a Nixle notice will be released. This is a test only. It is NOT an active fire suppression activity.

UPDATE 9/13/12 3:00p
Due to the successful efforts on the northern portion of the fire, firefighters are focusing more attention on the southern perimeter of the fire. With the decrease in the evacuation advisory area in east Jackson, some of the engines and crews that have been patrolling that area will be repositioned to the Game Creek area. Firefighters are performing evaluations on structures in the Game Creek subdivision so firefighters can better prepare in the event there is a need to protect structures in the area. Firefighters performing the assessment will also provide tips to homeowners on how to prepare in the event fire moves down the Game Creek drainage. Law enforcement officers will also be driving through the area to be prepared should evacuation orders be issued.

Horsethief Canyon Fire Managers invite the public to attend a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson Hole Middle School. Officials will be on hand to answer questions. The meeting is expected to last no more than one-hour.

Officials remind residents that there are many emergency vehicles on the roadways. Use caution. For the latest fire information visit www.inciweb.org/incident/3241

UPDATE 9/13/12 7:05a- The Evacuation Advisory remains unchanged from yesterday evening. See previous update and attached map for details.

The Structure Protection Group that has been working solely in the east Jackson area is being broken into two sectors due to the success of firefighting efforts near east Jackson. The second sector will be working in areas south of Jackson such as the Game Creek subdivision conducting structure assessments and wildfire mitigation. Residents are urged to use caution and drive slowly around firefighters and emergency vehicles.

Additionally, the Elk Refuge Road will be closed to pedestrians and bicycles (open to cars with momentary closures) from the intersection of E Broadway/Elk Refuge Rd to the Miller House. This closure is being enacted to allow air resources to safely land and take off from the helibase at this location.

Travelers on S Highway 89 south of Jackson are also urged to slow down, turn on headlights, and use caution due to the possibility of heavy smoke on the roadway in the next few days.

Your local emergency services and the Type II Incident Management Team thank you for your time and cooperation.

UPDATE 9/12/12 7:25p - The burnout operation that caused the large smoke plume early today was a successful operation. It has helped to improve the containment line on the west side of the fire.

The Evacuation Advisory area remains in the area enclosed by E Broadway to Rancher St to Cache Creek Dr to Redmond St to E Kelly Ave to Vine St. See map on Nixle site for details. We are aware that some users are having issues accessing the full size map on mobile phones. If you visit the site on a desktop/laptop computer, you can access the full size map.

This will be the last Nixle message of the evening, unless conditions change drastically.

UPDATE 9/12/12 3:35p - Firefighters are currently conducting burn out operations in the Five Meadow area on the fire to reinforce control lines. Smoke is visible from Jackson and surrounding area. For a view of the fire visit the Teton Pass Webcam (scroll to 3rd camera) http://www.wyoroad.info/highway/webcameras/WYO22TetonPass/WYO22TetonPass.html

Visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for latest info on the fire.

UPDATE 9/12/12 2:25p - The Evacuation Advisory area remains in the area enclosed by E Broadway to Rancher St to Cache Creek Dr to Redmond St to E Kelly Ave to Vine St. See map on Nixle site for details. We are aware that some users are having issues accessing the full size map on mobile phones. If you visit the site on a desktop/laptop computer, you can access the full size map.

Public Health officials are advising that people should avoid outdoor activity if the smoke is heavy. Keep windows and doors closed to keep smoke out.

St. John's Medical Center advises individuals experiencing medical issues related to smoke to contact their physician or a local urgent care center. In case of emergency related to smoke or other medical emergencies, dial 9-1-1 or visit the hospital emergency room.

UPDATE 9/12/12 11:25a - Evacuation Advisory area remains same from the last update. If you are having trouble seeing the evacuation map in Nixle, click this link for the map http://www.tetonwyo.org/bcc/images/20120912%20Evac%20Advisory%20Area.jpg.

If it becomes necessary to issue an evacuation order, the intention is to issue it early enough to allow residents time to quickly return to their homes to get pets and/or pre-packed items. DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF WILDFIRE, THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE. If you are not comfortable with getting your pets or other items very quickly or the possibility that you may not be able to return to your home, you should not leave pets or important belongings at home.

Other important evacuation preparations include videotaping the contents of your home as documentation for your insurance company should your home be impacted by fire. This is actually a good practice for all residents to take in the event of any type of emergency, any time of year. Additionally, some homeowner's insurance policies will cover costs for lodging if an evacuation order is issued. Check with your insurance company to see if this applies to you. THERE ARE NO EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED AT THIS TIME IN TETON COUNTY.

For a complete list of evacuation preparations refer to www.tetonwyo.org/em

UPDATE 9/12/12 8:50a - MISSED ATTACHING MAP IN ORIGINAL MESSAGE. MAP NOW ATTACHED. Based on a careful analysis of current fire conditions and conferences between local emergency responders and the Type II Incident Management Team, Fire Chief Willy Watsabaugh has authorized a reduction in the size of the current Evacuation Advisory area in east Jackson.

The current Evacuation Advisory area boundary is now south of E Broadway, to east of Rancher St, to south of Cache Creek Dr, to west of Redmond St, to south of E Kelly Ave, to east of Vine St. Please see attached map for more details.

Everyone is reminded that Game Creek, Cache Creek, and Snow King mountain trails are still closed to use in order to allow for access of emergency apparatus.

Those that are still in an Evacuation Advisory area should continue to take the preparation steps that have been outlined in previous updates until that Advisory is lifted.

Your local emergency services and our Type II Incident Management Team would like to thank everyone in the community for your continued patience, understanding, and preparatory actions.

Stay tuned to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for fire information and www.tetonwyo.org/em for emergency preparedness information.

UPDATE 9/11/12 7:50p - There are no significant changes in the status of the Horsethief Canyon Fire. Visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ for latest information on the fire.

There are NO EVACUATION ORDERS issued at this time in Teton County. There is ONE EVACUATION ADVISORY outlined below.

The Evacuation Advisory still remains in effect for area south of E Broadway, east of Redmond St, south of E Kelly Ave, and east of Vine St. See map for Evacuation Advisory area.

A reminder that the Evacuation Advisory means that residents within the Advisory area should prepare for possible evacuation (THIS IS NOT A CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES!). Steps residents should take in the evacuation area is to have an emergency "go" kit ready with emergency supplies, important paperwork, photographs, laptop computer, etc. ready to go should an evacuation be ordered. You should also have a plan for evacuating your pets and livestock and arrange for a place for them to stay should you need to evacuate. You should also have a communication plan for your family if an evacuation occurs while you are separated. Visit www.tetonwyo.org/em for additional evacuation tips.

Unless there is a significant change in the fire or evacuation status, this will be the last Nixle update of the night. Nixle updates will resume the morning of 9/12/12. Your local emergency services would like to thank you for your time, patience, and preparedness actions.

UPDATE 9/11/12 5:10p - The Evacuation Advisory still remains in effect for east Jackson. See attached map and earlier updates for area. There are no other Evacuation Advisories in effect in Teton County or the Town of Jackson.

There are currently a Wyoming Office of Homeland Security agency representative and a Wyoming National Guard agency representative working with Emergency Management in the Emergency Operations Center to offer their assistance and expertise to local responders as needed.

Visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3241/ to learn the latest about the fire, and www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn about emergency preparedness.

UPDATE 9/11/12 2:45p - Evacuation Advisory for east Jackson as outlined in attached map is still in effect. Stay tuned to Nixle for further information.

Clarification on "2 hour window" that was mentioned by Jackson Police Department at public meeting last night: if an evacuation is called for, notifications will be made door-to-door plus via other media. At that time, the public will be expected to immediately evacuate the area. IF TIME AND CONDITIONS ALLOW, law enforcement will allow people back into the area to gather other items, BUT THIS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. Just as previously advised, people living in the Evacuation Advisory area should plan on NOT being able to return to their home should an evacuation be ordered. Please continue to have plans for family, livestock, pets, and important documents/mementos.

We would once again like to thank the public for their attention, preparations, and cooperation.

UPDATE 9/11/12 12:15p - Residents of Pine, Spruce, Rodeo, and Wister Drives can expect to see fire crews in the area performing fire prevention actions. Be advised, the Evacuation Advisory area IS NOT expanding to this area. We are taking these measures due to availability of resources, not due to a change in fire conditions.

The Evacuation Advisory is still in effect for the area south of E Broadway, east of Redmond St, south of E Kelly, and east of Vine St. See attached map for details.

The public is reminded that there is a closure in effect for Cache and Game Creeks plus all trails on Snow King. Please respect these closures for your safety and the safety of the firefighters.

A reminder that the Evacuation Advisory has been lifted from Game Creek. Emergency Management reminds all residents of Teton County, no matter where they are or time of year, that they should have a preparedness kit, family disaster plan, and be informed about different disasters. Visit www.tetonwyo.org/em to learn about disaster preparedness for all residents.

UPDATE 9/11/12 10:15a - At this time, the Evacuation Advisory is still in effect for the area in east Jackson south of E Broadway, east of Redmond St, south of E Kelly, to east of Vine St. (see attached map).

East Jackson residents should expect to see increased numbers of wildland and structural fire crews in neighborhoods throughout the day today. These crews are performing community familiarization and preventative fire work on properties throughout the area.

Fire status remains relatively steady from yesterday. Local emergency services want residents in Evacuation Advisory area to remain vigilant and prepared for evacuation as outlined in previous updates. For information on fire status, visit www.inciweb.org and find the Horsethief Canyon Fire. You can also call the local Horsethief Canyon Information Center at 739-5577. Thank you for your time, patience, and preparedness.

UPDATE 5:14p - Per Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and Jackson Police Department, unless conditions deteriorate significantly tonight, there will be no evacuations in Jackson. The Evacuation Advisory does remain in effect, since conditions could change from tonight through tomorrow. The Advisory means that residents in the area should have evacuation items ready to go, preferably in their vehicles. Have plans in place for pets and livestock. Those with mobility or access issues should still consider voluntarily evacuating this area.

There will be a public meeting tonight at 7:00pm at the Davey Jackson Elementary School.

UPDATE 2:18pm - Local fire crews are in the upper Cache and Snow King Drive areas conducting structure assessment and placing fire protection resources.

Officials ask that you know the evacuation advisory areas and evacuation preparedness steps you can take to be prepared. These tips are posted on www.tetonwyo.org/em.

Residents are asked to not pre-water lawns, as this lowers water pressure, thereby hampering fire response capabilities.


UPDATE 11:23am - The Evacuation Advisory area has been updated to also include the area east of Vine St and south of E Kelly Ave, to include Snow King Resort and the residences on the south side of E Kelly Ave. This update to the Evacuation Advisory area is due to logistics of potential evacuation, and not due to a significant change in fire status. Please see attached map for Evacuation Advisory area, and see message below for details on Evacuation Advisory instructions. NO EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AT THIS TIME.

10:11am UPDATE - Evacuation Advisory remains in place at this time per the local structure protection group led by Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. Residents in east Jackson will see emergency services apparatus in the area taking preventative fire measures on properties. At this time, the Type II Incident Management Team is managing the wildfire, with local responders working in concert with the Type II Incident Management Team to plan/respond for structure protection and potential evacuation in town. The Town of Jackson and local emergency services greatly appreciate the public's proactive response to these advisories.

08:15 UPDATE: Evacuation Advisory is still in place as outlined below. Evacuation order has NOT been issued at this time. Next update will be in 2 hours.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE: Residents of east Jackson that are south of the south curb of Broadway and east of the east curb on Redmond St are hereby advised by the Town of Jackson to prepare for potential evacuation due to wildfire. AT THIS POINT, AN EVACUATION IS NOT BEING ORDERED.

An Evacuation Advisory means that residents in the effected area must make preparations for a potential Evacuation Order.

Residents in this area that may have mobility issues, special needs, or livestock/pets need to consider voluntarily evacuating at this time. Residents in this area that are leaving for work must be aware that if an evacuation is ordered while they are away from their home, they will NOT be allowed to return. Take pets, important papers (insurance documents, social security cards), and irreplaceable items (family photos, mementos) with you when you leave your home for the day today.

The decision on whether a mandatory evacuation of this area will be ordered is anticipated to be made by 8:00am this morning.