The Twin Ridge Fire in Evanston quickly burned 73 acres of brush the afternoon of July 4th, coming right up to the edge of a neighborhood. No homes or structures were lost.
“Through our investigations to this point, the initial fire started due to some fireworks that were being played with by some kids in the area,” said Eric Quinney, the fire warden for Uinta County.
The city of Evanston cancelled its Fourth of July fireworks planned for that evening, and due to the windy, hot, and dry conditions, an immediate ban was placed on all fireworks within Uinta County.
“Until we get some measurable moisture, conditions are only going to get worse, get dryer. And the heat is going to get hotter. And so it’s just not prudent to allow fireworks until conditions are a little more safe,” said Quinney.
The U.S. Forest Service has yet to put out any fire restrictions for the area, but Quinney said that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to light a campfire.
“Typically our fire season in Wyoming doesn’t get started over here in Evanston until late July, early August. And we’re already seeing extreme fire behavior with the conditions. And so just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should,” Quinney said.
The fire has been under control since the evening of the fourth, and crews are monitoring hot spots.