CASPER, Wyo. — A train is what caused the fire near Bar Nunn on Tuesday night. That’s according to a social media release from the Natrona County Fire District, which stated that the fire — which burned 163.3 acres — has been completely contained. According to the release, there were no threats to structures; the […]
Wildfire
Posted inWeather
PHOTOS: Firefighters battle blaze south of Bar Nunn on Tuesday
CASPER, Wyo. — The following is an update from Natrona County Fire District Engineer, Leighton Burgen: At 7:03 p.m., firefighters called the fire “under control” and are now in a monitor and patrol status. Crews will continue to work hot spots into the evening, and checking on containment lines into the night. Acreage is unknown […]
Posted inWyoming
Swaths of Wyoming forests included in USDA’s new logging initiative
CASPER, Wyo. — Nearly all of Wyoming’s national forests are included in the United States Department of Agriculture’s new “Emergency Situation Determination” to boost timber production and, according to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, reduce risk of wildfires. In a memo sent out late last week, Rollins first cited President Trump’s executive order to boost U.S. […]
Posted inWyoming
Red flag warning issued for Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — A red flag warning has been issued for Casper. That’s according to a social media post from the National Weather Service in Rapid City, South Dakota, which states that “critical fire weather conditions [are] possible over northeastern WY tomorrow.” The warning will be in effect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, […]
Posted inLatest News
Firefighters put out 2.1-acre blaze near Sunset Bar and Grill
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Fire District reported that a fire that broke out near the area of Sunset Bar and Grill has been put out. That’s according to a social media post from the district, which stated that the fire was started from a pile of used coal. Despite initial approximations of 5 […]
Posted inCommunity
Commission weighs Rocky Mountain Power’s joint proposal for 10.2% overall rate increase
Monthly power bills for the average Wyoming residence would go up about $18 under the proposed rate increase.
Posted inCommunity
Wildfire risk plan bill aimed at easing utility’s insurance rates, customer rates
Companies complying with their state-approved risk mitigation plans carry a presumption of reasonable prudence with regard to wildfire preparation in civil cases, the bill states.
Posted inCommunity
Wildfire liability, overdose reporting bills pass into Wyoming law
Gordon signed bills aimed easing the insurance burden for utility companies, funding public schools, and protecting people reporting drug overdoses.
Posted inLatest News
Fire reportedly breaks out near RuPaul’s husband’s Wyoming ranch
DOUGLAS, Wyo. — A fire reportedly broke out near LeBar Ranch, located in Converse County and owned by RuPaul’s husband, Georges LeBar. The fire was originally reported by WildCAD at about 6:11 p.m. Feb. 23. The total acreage impacted by the fire was not immediately reported, but at 8:06 p.m. it was reported that 30 […]
Posted inWildfire
Natrona County Fire District releases incident totals, run totals for 2024
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Fire District posted its incident totals from 2024, along with previously released run totals from past years. The information came via a social media post, which included incidents from 2016 to 2024. “One topic we wanted to highlight, was the sharp jump in wildland fires in Natrona County last […]
Posted inLatest News
(PHOTOS) Wyoming National Guard sending military planes to fight Los Angeles fires
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In the wake of multiple wildfires ravaging suburban Los Angeles the past week, the Wyoming National Guard is sending three C-130 military planes to help in ongoing containment efforts. These planes will arrive in California equipped with the Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and 40 personnel, according to a Wyoming […]
Posted inWildfire
Elk Fire 100% contained; repair ongoing
DAYTON, Wyo. — The Bighorn National Forest announced yesterday, Nov. 15, that the Elk Fire, which ignited from a lightning strike Sept. 27 and subsequently burned nearly 100,000 acres of forest and ranch land, is now completely contained. Despite this, nearby residents should still expect heavier-than-usual backroad traffic while crews continue to clean up. In […]
Posted inCommunity
Governor’s budget request would cover wildfire costs, federal litigation, property tax refunds
CASPER, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon unveiled a supplemental budget request on Thursday, saying it was a response to an unprecedented fire season, with other monies earmarked for continued litigation against federal energy policies and support for property tax refund programs. Gordon told the media on Thursday that the proposed supplement includes $220 million in […]
Posted inWildfire
Elk Fire slowly dying out; crews in repair mode
DAYTON, Wyo. — More than a month since the Elk Fire started in the rugged wilds of the Bighorn National Forest, the fire is now nearly contained. While crews are unable to assess the remaining 12% of perimeter line due to terrain challenges, they are cleaning up and returning fire lines that are no longer […]
Posted inWildfire
Forest Service issues final update on Pack Trail Fire; flames 95% contained and unlikely to last
DUBOIS, Wyo. — Since the unseasonably late ignition of a series of wildfires across Wyoming in September, the U.S. Forest Service has been providing near-daily updates on fire conditions and the efforts of crews involved in fighting the fires. Today, those updates are ending in western Wyoming, where the Bridger-Teton National Forest has updated state […]
Posted inEmergency
Progress continues in fighting Elk Fire; containment nears 90%
CASPER, Wyo. — Wet, snowy weather in the past week has helped the firefighters working to stamp out the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming, and crews on Sunday reported that the blaze is nearly 90% contained. At time of publication, the Elk Fire spans 98,352 acres and is roughly 88% contained. The uncontained sections of […]
Posted inWildfire
Forest evac orders lifting in Bighorns; Fremont County rescinding evac orders near Pack Trail Fire
CASPER, Wyo. — The first of winter 2024’s storms has passed, leaving behind a blanket of snow instrumental in delivering one of the final blows in the fight to contain wildfires across the state. Closure orders being lifted in parts of the Bighorn National Forest and areas around the Pack Trail Fire in western Wyoming […]
Posted inWildfire
Burn Area Emergency Response team releases burn severity map for Elk Fire
DAYTON, Wyo. — Now that colder and wetter weather conditions are moving in across the Bighorn National Forest and crews have contained 82% of the 98,352 total acres of the Elk Fire, experts are able to assess the severity of the burns across the fire’s area. According to the Bighorn National Forest Facebook page, Burn […]
Posted inWildfire
Wyoming fire updates: Snow expected over Elk Fire, Pack Trail Fire areas
CASPER, Wyo. — As the fall season progresses and wintry conditions approach, both Bridger-Teton National Forest and Bighorn National Forest fire crews are expecting to be aided by snow in containment efforts for the wildfires that have been inflicting their respective areas. Elk Fire active yesterday; moisture incoming Despite the ultimate weather trend recently leaning […]
Posted inWildfire
Helicopters hauling equipment out of Pack Trail Fire area; burn now 70% contained
DUBOIS, Wyo. — Much like the similarly sized and persistent Elk Fire, western Wyoming’s Pack Trail Fire is entering its final stages of existence. While helicopters backhaul now-unnecessary equipment out of the area, ground crews are completing suppression repair around the fire’s perimeter. According to the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s most recent Facebook update, crews on […]
Posted inWildfire
Elk Fire mostly done growing; all evacuation orders removed from Sheridan County
DAYTON, Wyo. — Although successful containment efforts and fortunate weather had already significantly slowed the Elk Fire’s growth in the past week, the Bighorn National Forest announced that today is officially the end of prospective growth. With that news, many of the emergency procedures put in place by the U.S. Forest Service and Sheridan County […]
Posted inWildfire
Pack Trail Fire fighters looking forward to aircraft help, good weather
DUBOIS, Wyo. — Containment percentages on the Pack Trail Fire tick up everyday, with the fire now two-thirds controlled. An upcoming weather system and some aerial help from an unmanned aircraft system are expected to contribute to that even further. The fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system is, according to the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s most recent Facebook […]
Posted inWildfire
Elk Fire growth minimal; new program allows property owners to retrieve things from fire closure area
DAYTON, Wyo. — Thanks to 100% humidity overnight as well as moderate precipitation in the form of both rain and snow, growth on the Elk Fire was minimal and the fire’s behavior continues to become increasingly sluggish. While crews work to put the fire down once and for all, a new process allowing property owners […]
