Stand 2 - Trail Ridge
The shift change began along this ridge during the late morning of August 21st. Smoke was hanging in the drainage and the fire was backing down the North side of Trail Ridge. The Tensleep CCC relieved the Wapiti CCC Crew. The Ten Sleep CCC crew had been expected to arrive about 0800 to the base camp but didn't arrive until 1200. The BPR and Yellowstone CCC continued to work. Supervision of the suppression activities was transferred from Forest Supervisor Sieker and District Ranger Charlie Fifield to District Rangers Urban J. Post and Alfred G. Clayton. Deputy Forest Supervisor Carl Krueger continued to fly air patrol and report the fire's status by air. Mr. Krueger reported several spot fires near the fireline at 1240. These spot fires were suppressed as the line was constructed. Krueger didn't identify any spots in the vicinity where the blow-up came from. The strategy and tactics were that Ranger Post would take the lead with assistance from Jr. Forester Paul Tyrrell. Ranger Clayton followed to improve the line and catch any new spot fires. As Post and crew hiked the ridge to start work he was on the lookout for spots over the line and into the next basin, but at that time no spot fires were seen below [see map 2]. They were unaware that the Relative Humidity dropped to 6% with a temperature of 90 down at camp or that a "spot" was in the bottom 1/3 of a mile below them, and they didn't anticipate afternoon winds. Click to see Map B
Note: During the 2003 fire season the Shoshone experienced the worst fire season on record with 5 large fires and 50 total starts. Again, in 2003 Blackwater would burn. Click to see Map C
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