Grizzly Gulch Fire Update
Friday, July 12, 2002
11:00 a.m. (MT)

Contact:  Brenda Bowen, Information Officer, at 605-431-1245 (cell number)
On the web:  http://www.state.sd.us and click on Grizzly Gulch Fire or State News Web

Fire Size:  10,771 acres
Location:  South of Deadwood and Lead
Percent Contained:  100% as of 6:00 p.m. July 7, 2002.
Estimated Control Date:  Friday, July 12, 2002 6:00 p.m.
Personnel: 98
Resources include:  3 Type 2 hand crews, 7 engines, 2 dozers, 2 excavators, 1 water tender, and 1 helicopter.

Current Situation:  Fire officials are optimistic that the 6:00 p.m. control target will be met if everything goes as planned.  Crews are continuing to mop up and patrol the fire area to ensure that all smoldering material and hotspots that could pose a threat are put out.  Some spots well inside the fire perimeter will be allowed to smolder and burn themselves out.  Once control is achieved, and mop up is complete, the Type 3 incident management team will turn the fire back to the local agencies who will continue to patrol the fire.

Safety concerns are still weakened power poles, downed power lines, snags, hazardous materials and mine shafts.  Fire fighter and public safety remain the top priority.  The public is advised to not try to assist the fire fighting effort.  Concern is that people who are untrained in wildfire suppression and unequipped could injure themselves or others while trying to suppress hot areas within the fire.  While their concerns are appreciated, they should allow the current fire officials to handle the situation.

Caution is still advised on roads throughout the fire area due to the number of crews and equipment.  Rehabilitation of dozer and hand lines continues and requires heavy equipment on dozer lines.  The Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team is continuing their survey of the fire area and hopes to have a report, which recommends treatments, completed by July 22, 2002.
          
Be FIREWISE:  The Lawrence County Fire Advisory Board continues to work with and encourage local residents to “firewise” their residences.  Paul Thompson from the Department of Emergency Management is the local contact for information and assistance.  He can be contacted at 578-2122.  Additional information can also be obtained on the web at http://www.firewise.org.

-30-