Cliff Creek Fire-Evacuations Ordered Monday Afternoon

Updated Monday Afternoon

UPDATE—3 p.m., Monday, July 18: Teton County Emergency Management has ordered an immediate evacuation for Granite Creek due to the Cliff Creek Fire. People at Granite Hot Springs and Campground, Safari Club International, and the Jack Pine Summer Homes should evacuate immediately. “The Cliff Creek Fire has crossed Shoal Creek and is spotting on the ridge above Granite Creek,” the alert stated.  “The Incident Management Team believes there is an imminent threat to life and property in Granite Creek.”

The Red Cross has set up an evacuation center in Teton County at Colter Elementary School, 1830 High School Rd., in Jackson.

A lightning strike ignited the Cliff Creek Fire north of Bondurant WY Sunday afternoon.

The Bondurant web cam captured not only the high based thunderstorm  that likely produced the culprit lightning strike but also within an hour caught the very rapid increase in smoke produced by the fire.  The cam is located near Bondurant looking north. Note the passage of the thunderstorm between 2-3pm and within an hour the smoke from the fire.

Here is the most recent report on the Cliff Creek Fire as of Monday morning

Cliff Creek Fire Still Burning North of Bondurant, WY

Incident: Cliff Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 29 min. ago

The Cliff Creek fire is still burning on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Bondurant, Wyoming. An area closure is expected to be in place today for much of the Forest north of Bondurant. It might include the Shoal Creek and Granite Creek drainages. Clark's Draw is expected to remain open.

Through the evening last night there was a few trees that were torching, or completely going up in flames, but for the most part, the burning activity slowed down with the cooler temperatures. Fire engines were in the Bondurant area providing structure protection through the evening.

Three helicopters will be supporting the firefighters today. 9 engines are on scene and working on the fire including resources from the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and Sublette County Fire.

The fire danger remains at "High" for the Bridger-Teton. An updated acreage for the Cliff Creek fire will be available when it is safe for the aircraft to fly around the perimeter of the fire for a new map.

Visit www.tetonfires.com or https://www.facebook.com/BridgerTetonNF/ for additional information.