Alpine, Wyoming – The Middle Fire, quieted by rain from a thunder cell centered over the fire this morning, is being mopped up today along the southwest, south and southeast perimeters. Half of the Alaska Chena Hotshots were transported by helicopter yesterday to the northeast corner of the fire and successfully constructed fire line to secure that flank.A crew of firefighters spent last night at a spike camp south of the fire, and are burning out fuels along the southern-most reach of the fire, attempting to tie the burned fire line into that which was hand- constructed by initial attack smokejumpers earlier this week. The firefighters will spend tonight and tomorrow finishing the burn out and, when they complete their work, will walk out to the Little Greys River Road.

Two ground crews, including Type II crews from Arizona and Hawaii, are placing fire hoses along the southwest perimeter in order to mop up inside the constructed fire lines. Approximately one half mile of hose has been placed up hill from the Little Greys River Road. Firefighters will continue to strengthen and mop up inside that southwest flank today.

Remaining crews are constructing fire in a critical juncture of the fire along its southeast flank from the Little Greys River Road to a natural, geological feature that serves as a firebreak. Outside the perimeter of the fire at this location – between the fire and the old Aspen Hollow Fire – is a pocket of unburned, heavy fuels. The purpose for completing and strengthening the firebreak here is to prevent spread of the fire through the unburned fuels into a very large, contiguous forest to the northeast of the fire.

The rain from a thunder cell centered directly over the fire is providing some relief to mop-up efforts, however, it is also bringing with it safety hazards, including loosening ground around dangerous snags, causing slippery and unstable slopes, and producing lightning. All firefighters assigned to the Middle Fire incident have been alerted to these hazards.

The fire, which was ignited by lightning last Saturday, is still creeping and smoldering throughout, but fire crews are tightening their grip on the perimeter and expect to contain the fire by Tuesday, August 21, 2007. The fire was initially pushed by winds averaging 30 miles per hour. In order to grow in size, fires burning at higher elevations generally require wind to sustain burning. Winds have subsided since then and the fire is burning slowly now, allowing suppression efforts to continue successfully.

The Middle Fire is approximately 60 percent contained and 2,750 acres in size. There have been no serious injuries at the incident. The cost of the fire to date is estimated to be approximately $616,000.

Middle Creek Fire Statistics, August 17, 2007

Number of personnel: 207
Start of Fire: 8-11-2007
Location: 9 miles east of Alpine, Wyoming
Containment: 60%
Total Size of Fire: 2,750 Acres
Resources: Type II Hand Crews: 5
Type I Hand Crews: 1
Engines: 5
Overhead: 58
Helicopters: 1 Type 1
1 Type 3 (on loan)
Cost to Date: approx. $615,500.
Estimated Final Incident Cost: to be determined
Closures: AREA: Little Greys River Road, Forest Road 10124
Evacuations: None