Fire near Wheatland prompts evacuation of residents

WHEATLAND (WNE) — An estimated 1,100 acres burned Sunday east of Wheatland, and an evacuation notice was issued for local residents.

Local firefighters responded to a fire call at 1:27 p.m.

“It appears there were two separate fires that were whipped up by high winds. One on Sawmill Road and another near Cozad Road. Winds drove the fire east to Bard Road,” Wheatland fire chief Willie Deglman said of the initial response.

Steady wind speeds of 30 mph and gusts of nearly 60 mph were recorded Sunday afternoon in Wheatland.

County fire warden Tony Krotz said a Platte Alert evacuation notice was issued at 2:24 p.m. to residents of Chug Creek Estates and mile markers two through six on Highway 316.

The evacuation notice was lifted at 6 p.m.

Multiple agencies assisted in the fire response, including Guernsey, Camp Guernsey, Glendo, Hartville, Lingle, Veteran, Albany and Laramie Counties, Antelope Gap, Palmer Canyon, Laramie Peak Fire, Sybille, Chugwater, and others.

Firefighters were still fighting the blaze in a stand of trees on Bard Road at press time on Monday, and a hand crew was expected to continue mop-up efforts throughout the day.

Three structures and a travel trailer were burned in the fire. One firefighter was injured.

The Sawmill Road Fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal.

This story was published on February 26, 2025.