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A fast-moving wildfire along the Bridger-Teton National Forest road to Green River Lakes exploded to 600 acres in about four hours Thursday, closing the road and forcing the evacuation of campers in the area.

First reported at 2:16 p.m. Thursday, the Dollar Lake Fire quickly sent up a thick column of smoke. Sublette County emergency managers issued an emergency notice within an hour of the fire’s detection.

“If you are in the area please evacuate immediately,” the notice read.

“I just see a whole slew of vehicles coming down the road — campers with canoes, bicycles.”

Mark Domek

Dollar Lake is about eight miles north of the community of Kendall. The evacuation notice appears aimed at campers.

Dollar Lake is at the northernmost end of the Wind River Mountains along a 25-mile dirt and gravel road that follows the Green River through the national forest. The road is a popular camping and recreation site. Officials placed restrictions on campfires in the area on Aug. 12.

Near Kendall, resident Mark Domek could see the smoke and a stream of traffic leaving the national forest.

“I just see a whole slew of vehicles coming down the road,” he said, “campers with canoes, bicycles.” Emergency responders at the road closure told him Green River Lakes campground was being evacuated, Domek said.

“It’s putting up quite a bit of black smoke,” he said. “When the smoke’s that black it’s definitely eating some timber up, from my experience of fighting fires years ago.”

The Dollar Lake Fire seen from Pinedale on Thursday evening. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile)

Sublette County Emergency Management estimated the acreage just before 6 p.m. Thursday. “Resources are engaged on the Dollar Lake Fire,” fire managers said. They rate the fire danger for the region as “very high.”

Teton Interagency Fire defines that rating as an environment in which fires “start very easily and spread at a very fast rate.” The multi-agency group says fires can start from all causes, can spread rapidly and intensify quickly.

“Fires burning in heavy fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds,” according to the definition. “Direct attack at the head of such fires is rarely possible after they have been burning more than a few minutes.”

Restrictions on fires in the region prohibit lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal fires. An exception allows fires in permanent metal or concrete fire pits or grates that the Forest Service has constructed and maintained at developed recreation sites. Camping stoves that can be turned off are allowed, with some restrictions.

Domek, a self-employed logger and sawmill operator, said he’s ready should the fire spread.

“I’ve got a pump all ready to go and a dozer to protect my neighbors,” he said.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in Wyoming. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307)...

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