***UPDATE***

Highway 89 over the South End (Salt Pass) was reopened shortly after 1:00 am Sunday morning. The latest update on the fire since Saturday night will be posted as soon as information is available. The evacuation order for those living south of Gomms Pond on Highway 89 remains in effect, with a ready order for residents west of Highway 89 from Reeves-Schwab Lane South to Gomms Pond in Smoot.

***UPDATE***

WILLOW CREEK FIRE EVACUATION: Per Lincoln County Emergency Management, an evacuation order has been issued for everyone living south of the Gomms Pond along Highway 89 south of Smoot. An evacuation center has been set up at the Afton Readiness Center. Everyone living along the edge border of the Bridger-Teton National Forest south of Smoot has been given a “Get Ready” warning.

As the Willow Creek Fire crossed 1,700 acres on Saturday, the conditions continued to progress to the point where U.S. 89 has now been closed. According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), all lanes on U.S. 89 are closed near Afton from milepost 64 to 72. Those on the road should expect to stop and face delays. As of Saturday evening, the estimated size of the fire is at 3,820 acres.

Dan Dockstader provides an update from the top of the Salt River Summit at 8 p.m. Saturday – 

 Dan Dockstader provided a second update from the SVI Radio studios at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday – 

As Saturday began, the fire was estimated to be anywhere from one and a half to two miles from the roadway but ideal wildfire conditions continue to challenge the fire fighting effort.

In speaking with officials with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, those involved with the effort are expecting the fire to “lay down” on Saturday night as temperatures cool and wind dies down. A plan to hit the fire in the early morning hours of Sunday with aerial water and fire retardant drops will take place with the hope that the fire area will not grow as much with another hot afternoon expected Sunday afternoon. Officials feel that cooler weather and rain in the forecast on Monday and the early part of next week will help the overall containment.

The fire continues to burn in a southern and western direction.

No cause of the fire or a percentage of containment has been released.

In additional fire notes in the area, the fire taking place in the Little Greys area is at 50-percent containment and has not shown much activity. A ranger with the forest service also noted that they continue to see many illegal camp fires up and down the Greys River drainage despite Stage 1 restrictions in the Bridger-Teton and in Lincoln County.

PHOTOS BY DAN DOCKSTADER AND CAROLYN GORDON –