Moonshine Fire grows to nearly 3,500 acres in Laramie Range
LARAMIE (WNE) — A wildfire caused by lightning was reported Monday evening in the Laramie Range about 17 miles southwest of Wheatland in Albany County and has grown rapidly during the week because of windy and dry conditions.
The Moonshine Fire is currently burning in timber that is difficult to access, according to a Wednesday Facebook page devoted to Moonshine Fire Information.
A Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived Wednesday and took over coordination of the fire.
Multiple resources from Albany County Volunteer Fire Department Sybille Fire Zone, Albany County, Platte County, Bureau of Land Management — Wyoming, U.S. Forest Service and Wyoming State Forestry engaged in the initial response.
According to a BLM release Thursday morning, the Moonshine Fire has burned 3,458 acres with 0% containment and 151 firefighting personnel working the incident.
Fire crews made progress on Wednesday building primary containment lines, protecting structures, and assessing critical infrastructure, according to the BLM news release.
Gusty afternoon winds increased fire activity and required firefighters to use tactical firing operations. Holding through the night, those operations were successful and provided a critical anchor point for containment.
Firefighters also continued scouting and improving strategic access along several portions of the fire’s perimeter. Using direct and indirect confinement strategies along the southern and eastern edges, crews used heavy equipment to work away from the active flame front, said the release.
Aerial resources also supported ground crews throughout Wednesday, dropping water and retardant along the fire’s perimeter. This response helped slow the fire’s progression, allowing firefighters to assess conditions and develop rapid containment strategies. Crews will continue building containment lines to prioritize protecting structures, critical ranching land and grazing land.
This story was published on Sept. 11, 2026.
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