South Fork Fire Response Plan

Summary of Major Goals

The major goals of the project are as follows:
  1. Evaluate the impact of the South Fork Fire during the summer of 2002 in the Little Wind River watershed on source water quality for the Ft. Washakie and Ethete community water systems, which use surface water from the South Fork of the Little Wind River
  2. Assess soil and watershed impacts within the burned area to provide an estimate of sediment and debris loading and to estimate furure impacts of water wuality and water supply.
  3. Assess the impact of the South Fork Fire on fish habitat and aquatic macoinvertebrates in the Little Wind River watershed.
  4. To implement an early warning system to mitigate the impacts of runoff from the burned area on the community water systems at Ft. Washakie and Ethete.
  5. To investigate the potential for future development of alternate or supplemental water supplies, including groundwater, for the affected community water systems.

Project Description

The South Fork Fire was lightening caused and was discovered on June 29, 2002. The fire was contained on July 15, 2002 at 15,000 acres. The burned area is located between an elevation of 6,380 and 9,500 feet in the Wind River Mountain Range within the boundaries of the Wind River Indian Reservation west of Ft. Washakie. The burned area is entirely within the Little Wind River Watershed, which is an important water source for the Reservation. Water intakes for the Ft. Washakie and Ethete community water systems are located downstream of the burned area and were severely impacted by runoff following the fire. The Fire has resulted in reduced capacity of the public water utilities and a temporary boil advisory.





This project addresses the impacts of the fire on water quality in the Little Wind River watershed. An early warning system will be implemented to help mitigate the impacts of runoff from the burned area on the community water system intakes. Alternate water sourses will be evaluated as potential supplemental or replacement water supplies for the community water systems.

This project will result in the completion of an assessment report describing the impacts of the Fire on water quality, a response plan for mitigation of water quality impactson the public water utilities, and a report on the evaluation of alternate water supplies.