Update Tues., Sept. 3 at 5 p.m.:
A new, small fire sparked on Sunday in the northeast region of the state. The Silver Spoon Fire is about 1,700 acres and 37 miles north of Gillette. As of Tuesday morning, it was zero percent contained.
Record breaking temperatures in Sherdian and Gillette on Monday, plus continuing high temperatures, are increasing the potential for new fires in the area. But firefighters continue to make progress containing the four large fires already burning in the area. All are over 75 percent contained.
Tomorrow is the last day for landowners to request repairs to their fences or land impacted by firefighting efforts. The phone line will be discontinued at 8 p.m. The number until then is 307-303-7642.
Update Fri., Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m.:
Gov. Mark Gordon signed two Executive Orders (EO) to assist agricultural producers impacted by the fires that have burned across northern Wyoming.
The first EO eases restrictions on transporting loads of livestock feed and livestock, exempting motor carrier drivers from operating time requirements. The second EO lifts certain restrictions for vehicles transporting oversized and overweight loads of livestock feed and livestock.
“Fires like these are devastating for our producers,” Governor Gordon said. “Many have lost pasture, feed, livestock and supplies. These EOs will allow assistance to flow more freely to those who need it, and we will continue to work on making additional resources available for recovery.
All four fires are over 60 percent contained. However, there is a fire weather watch for this region from Sunday afternoon until the evening
A public meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. in Kaycee.
Local producers who have experienced losses should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.
Update Thurs., Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.:
Progress continues containing four large wildfires burning in the northeast corner of the state.
Crews are trying to get in touch with landowners whose property or fence might have been damaged during firefighting efforts.
Call 307-303-7642 to contact fire officials with repair needs.
A public meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. in Kaycee, Wyoming.
The Livestock Board is asking people making an emergency movement of their animals into Wyoming due to the fires to make sure the animals are safe first, then call in with details between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. That number is 307-777-7515.
If moving livestock into Montana, call 406-444-2976.
Update Wed., Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.:
Firefighters have contained more than half of each of the four fires burning in northeast Wyoming.
Crews are targeting their efforts to hot spots and flare ups within the boundaries of the House Draw, Flat Rock, Constitution and Remington fires.
Brandon Glenn with the team leading firefighting efforts said one area that will need continued monitoring is a coal seam within the boundary of the Flat Rock Fire, burning about 11 miles northwest of Gillette.
"As the folks around here know, those will burn forever. So that's going still, smoking," he said.
Crews will continue securing the fires’ perimeters and identifying needed repairs to fences and land.
Private landowners can contact fire officials by phone at 307-303-7642 if repairs need to be done on their land.
The Livestock Board is asking people moving animals across state lines to make sure the animals are safe, then call in with details. That number is 307-777-7515.
A cold front is expected to move into the area this afternoon, carrying stronger winds and cooler temperatures.
A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on today at the Birney Post Office.
Update Tues., Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.:
Firefighters continue to make progress containing four large wildfires burning in northeast Wyoming.
Rain Monday helped keep the House Draw, Remington, Constitution and Flat Rock fires in check. Crews are focusing on hot spots in the fires’ interiors.
However, with temperatures picking back up and fuels drying out, new fire starts are possible. If you see smoke or fire outside of those four fires’ boundaries, call 911 and they’ll coordinate a local response.
In an update posted to Facebook, Brandon Glenn with the team leading firefighting efforts said they’re starting to look at repairing cut fences and dozer lines.
“All of these fires are moving into repair plans here shortly,” Glenn said. “Just making sure that when we leave here, as much of the stuff is done that needs to return the ground back to the state before the fire.”
Private landowners can contact fire officials by phone at 307-303-7642 if repairs need to be done on their land.
The Livestock Board is asking people moving animals across state lines to make sure the animals are safe, then call in with details. That number is 307-777-7515.
A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 28 at the Birney Post Office.
Original story from Mon., Aug. 26:
Firefighters are starting to make progress containing several large fires burning in northeast Wyoming.
About 840 personnel are working to contain the Flat Rock, Remington, Constitution and House Draw fires. The fires are being managed together as a complex.
Together, the fires have burned more than 448,000 acres, though estimates may change due to overnight operations and infrared mapping:
- Flat Rock: 11 miles NW of Gillette, 52,599 acres, 35% contained
- Remington: 20 NE of Leiter, WY and multiple counties in SE Montana, 196,387 acres, 0% contained
- Constitution: 15 miles north of Gillette, 24,594 acres, 28% contained
- House Draw: 40 miles southeast of Buffalo, 174,702 acres, 88% contained
In an update video posted this morning, Brandon Glenn with Southwest Area Incident Management Team No. 5 said crews are targeting the northern parts of each fire to build containment lines.
There are no current evacuation orders in place for Sheridan, Johnson or Campbell counties, Wyoming.
Some areas of Big Horn, Rosebud, and Powder River counties in Montana are under level 2 evacuation notices – meaning they should pack up necessary items and prep family, pets and vehicles to leave.
For more information about these fires, call 307-201-8558. That line is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fire managers will hold a meeting at the Birney Post Office in Montana at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, to update area residents.
