Fires continue blazing through acreage in northeast Wyoming

SHERIDAN — Two large fires continued to ravage areas surrounding Sheridan County Friday afternoon.

House Draw Fire

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the House Draw Fire has burned over 169,000 acres and is 0% contained. The fire started Wednesday morning and originated off of Trabing Road.

Johnson County roads are open but only for local residents, the county’s Information Officer Marilyn Connolly said Friday morning.

As of Friday, 190 firefighters were battling the blaze and 150 more firefighters were expected to come in by Sunday morning and assist, Connolly said.

There are currently 23 engines, three type 2 hand crews and two type 1 helicopters battling the fire.

Wyoming Department of Transportation Public Relations Specialist Laura Dalles said the fire impacted approximately 14 miles on Interstate 90, with most of the damage occurring on the eastbound lane. WYDOT is in the process of completing a damage assessment.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is also monitoring the fire due to its impacts on wildlife.

“The burned area is currently located within Elk Hunt Area 129, Antelope Hunt Areas 16 and 22, and Deer Hunt Areas 26 and 29,” Wyoming Game and Fish said in a press release.

Gov. Mark Gordon issued a statement Thursday on the multiple fires burning within Wyoming:

“Thank you to the dedicated Wyoming fire crews who are diligently working to contain the numerous wildfires throughout the state,” Gordon said. “ It is demanding work, and it is important we do all we can to assist them in their effort to protect lives and property.

“If you are near a fire, monitor official local information, follow the direction of local emergency management teams and stay off closed roads and out of closed areas. If you suspect a new fire has started please report it to your local authorities through 911.

“Thank you to everyone who is protecting Wyoming right now, and stay safe.”

Remington Fire

The Remington fire located in northeast Sheridan County jumped from 7,500 acres as of Thursday to 130,000 acres as of 11 a.m. Friday.

The fire started around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Sheridan County Fire Warden Chris Thomas said the fire jumped into Montana with a vengeance.

“I’ve heard some reports saying there was a vacant trailer house that got burned,” Thomas said.

An incident management team is coming in from New Mexico to assist on the Remington fire. Crews already battling the blaze planned a briefing with the management team Saturday, and it is expected the incident crew from New Mexico will be taking over all fires across Sheridan, Johnson and Campbell counties, Thomas said.

“Every fire district in the county has been contributing with engines, and we’re thankful for that,” Thomas said.

Additional firefighting crews from Oregon, Colorado and California are expected to arrive Friday, Thomas said.

Agricultural disaster assistance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages, according to a release from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses, transportation of feed to livestock, and hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres.

Additionally, eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines.

For more information, see bit.ly/3AE7Hag.

This story was published on August 23, 2024.