Wildland fires grow in Campbell County

GILLETTE (WNE) — Fire season has picked up in Campbell County as two wildland fires sparked and continued to grow over the weekend on separate ends of the county.

The Wildcat Creek Fire started early Friday off of Rochelle Hills Road southeast of Wright and spread quickly thanks to strong winds and dry vegetation, reaching an estimated 17,258 acres. It continued into Weston County as of Sunday night, according to a Campbell County Fire Department press release.

In the northwest part of the county, Deer Creek Fire was reported Saturday and spread to about 7,000 acres as of Sunday, touching portions of Johnson County and Sheridan County.

Firefighters knew of no one hurt and no structures lost as of Sunday.

Crews expect to fight the Wildcat Creek Fire near Wright for several days as the state has stepped in with a Type III Incident Commander leading the efforts against the fire, which was about 30% contained as of Sunday.

Responders are fighting the fire with aerial support and heavy equipment, as resources have been provided from Campbell County, Weston County, Converse County, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Forestry and U.S. Forestry.

Firefighters are using indirect tactics to fight the flames, burning down areas large enough to prevent the fire from crossing and spreading, according to the release. The cause remains under investigation.

The BLM has taken lead on the Deer Creek Fire northwest of Gillette, with air support and heavy equipment also called in to fight the fire. There was no estimate on its containment as of Sunday and the cause remains under investigation.

A lack of moisture and hot weather in the region has primed wildland fires to spread quickly, burning dry grass and vegetation across large areas.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place in Campbell County.

This story was published on August 5, 2024.