Fires prompt pre-evacuation orders for rural parts west, north and south of Gillette

GILLETTE (WNE) — The Campbell County Fire Department has expanded a pre-evacuation notice to county residents in the Oriva Hills area and others in rural areas both north and south of Interstate 90 and west of Gillette to Arvada as firefighters work to contain the Flat Rock Fire spreading west of town.

As of about 10 p.m., full evacuation orders have only been issued for the Weston Hills Recreation Area in response to the Constitution Fire burning north of Gillette.

Those under pre-evacuation orders are advised to prepare for the potential of fires moving their way.

“If it was me, I would be getting any kind of personal belongings in order and ready to go, to where I could just grab them and go out the door in a moment’s notice,” said Michael Phipps, deputy emergency management coordinator for Campbell County.

Those within the city of Gillette are not under pre-evacuation orders yet but may want to monitor the situation as the strong winds have created challenges containing the fires.

Firefighters on Wednesday afternoon responded to multiple fires, including two large fires that may have been caused by lightning, said Fire Marshal Stuart Burnham in a fire department news release sent early Wednesday evening.

The Flat Rock Fire burning 13 miles west of Gillette off of Echeta Road was estimated at 500 acres at the time of the news release. Firefighters have confirmed that the fire damaged some structures while others remain threatened.

The Constitution Fire near Collins Road north of Gillette was estimated at 3,000 acres; firefighters are working to contain the fire and assess structures in the area, according to the news release.

Campbell County Road and Bridge is helping create containment lines while heavy smoke is expected to continue from local fires and potentially from other fires affecting surrounding counties.

This story was published on August 21, 2024.