Albany County EMA provides updates on wildfires

LARAMIE (WNE) — A significant rainstorm that passed through the area Tuesday afternoon followed by cooler temperatures helped responders fighting two recent wildfires that last week caught the attention of Albany County personnel and residents.

The Bear Creek Fire, located in the Sybille Canyon area northeast of Laramie, was reported at 1,444 acres with the perimeter at about 80% containment as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Albany County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The agency’s pre-evacuation notice that was issued Sept. 12 is no longer in effect. The notice was initially released for residents in the area of Wyoming Highway 43 from Morton Pass on the west boundary to Albany County Road 12 on the east boundary to include all of Albany County Road 12.

Although the EMA notice has now been lifted, the agency requests for the public to still avoid the area as about 50 firefighting personnel are continuing to work the fire.

The investigation into the cause of the Bear Creek Fire is ongoing.

The Pearl Fire, first reported at about 11 a.m. Monday, is to the south of Laramie and just under 10 miles on the Colorado side of the Wyoming/Colorado border. 

According to information on inciweb.wildfire.gov, the fire is at 128 acres with 5% containment of the perimeter as of about 2 p.m. Wednesday. 

A pre-evacuation notice from the EMA was issued Monday afternoon for the area of the Wyoming/ Colorado state line on the south to Sportsman Lake Road on the north, Ashby Loop on the west and U.S. Highway 287 on the east.

The EMA urges residents in those areas to make preparations to evacuate the area if a mandatory evacuation order is issued in the near future. Residents do not need to leave at this time, but should prepare to leave with household members, essential belongings, pets and livestock.

For further updates, visit the EMA Facebook page at facebook.com/albanywyema.

This story was published on September 19, 2024.