Hardluck Fire in Shoshone National Forest grows to 21,000 acres

(Press Release) The growth of the Hardluck Fire in the Shoshone National Forest continued yesterday with the dry and breezy conditions. The size is estimated at 21,000 acres. The fire burned actively in Robinson Creek, Marston Creek, and on the southern flank near the confluence of Bliss Creek and the South Fork River. Most of the fire growth was at the head of East Fork and Hidden Basin up to Cougar Pass.

Another day of active burning is expected today.  Wyoming Hotshots are on scene at the South Fork work station to hike into Aspen Creek and prepare an indirect fireline to use if the fire continues burning north towards the values in the South Fork Road corridor.

Tuesday’s forecast includes continued warm and dry but with cloud cover increasing this afternoon. A better chance of cloud cover, scattered showers and a slight increase in relative humidity tomorrow and Wednesday.  Elevated fire weather conditions return by the end of the week with a drier air mass and increased winds.

 An area closure is in effect for the entire South Fork drainage beginning south of Aspen Creek beyond the South Fork Road (County Road 6WX/Forest Service Road 479.B). All structure protection and fuels reduction work on national forest lands at the end of the South Fork Road have been completed.

Reported by a fire detection flight on July 20, 2013, the Hardluck Fire was caused by a lightning strike within the days prior to the report.