(UPDATE 10-02-15):
The Smith Mountain wildfire, approximately 40 miles southeast of Casper, Wyoming, is 80 percent contained and was downgraded to a Type-4 incident. A new assessment of the fire showed it burned an estimated 630 acres instead of the 800 acres previously estimated.
It is estimated that the wildfire will be 100 percent contained by Sunday, Oct 4th.
“Fire managers have started releasing fire crews and equipment today and will continue to monitor the incident throughout the weekend,” said Frank Keeler, Bureau of Land Management High Desert District Fire Management Officer. “Portions of the fire’s edge are inaccessible for firefighters due to steep rocky terrain. This area will be monitored and accessed from safe distances and firefighters will remain in the area until the fuels have been consumed. Smoke will be visible to the public until the areas receive precipitation.”
The BLM, in coordination with Albany County and Wyoming State Forestry Division, are on site. Dispatched resources include: one engine, one helicopter, two Type-2 Initial Attack hand crews and 59 firefighters.
Fire crews administered the prescribed burn to improve wildlife habitat, increase livestock forage and distribution, enhance rangeland vegetation health, reduce hazardous fuels, and open areas to grasses and forbs and new, more palatable and nutritious shrubs and aspen.
The public is urged to use caution and avoid the area since fire behavior can change and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.
(UPDATE 10-01-15):
The Smith Mountain wildfire, approximately 40 miles southeast of Casper, Wyoming, is 70 percent contained and estimated to be 800 acres, with no structures lost.
It is estimated that the wildfire will be 100 percent contained by Sunday, Oct. 4.
“We are still focused on containing the wildfire and providing for the safety of those on the ground,” said Frank Keeler, Bureau of Land Management High Desert District Fire Management Officer.
(UPDATE 9-30-15):
The Smith Mountain wildfire is 45 percent contained and estimated to be 800 acres, with no structures lost. It is estimated that the fire will be 100 percent contained by Monday, Oct. 5.
“At this time, our focus is on containing the fire and providing for the safety of those on the ground,” said Frank Keeler, Bureau of Land Management High Desert District Fire Management Officer. “The fire is still under investigation.”
The BLM, in coordination with Albany County and Wyoming State Forestry Division are on site. Dispatched resources include: four engines, two helicopters, one Type-I hot shot crew, two TYPE-II IA hand crews and 79 firefighters.
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
The Smith Mountain prescribed fire, now a declared wildfire, is 30 percent contained and estimated to be 700 acres, with no structures lost.
“The Smith Mountain prescribed fire was declared a wildfire yesterday afternoon to be able to compete for resources to adequately suppress the fire,” said Frank Keeler, Bureau of Land Management High Desert District Fire Management Officer.
The BLM, in coordination with Albany County, Wyoming State Forestry Division and the Medicine Bow National Forest are engaged in controlling a prescribed fire that escaped confinement lines Sept. 27, in the Smith Mountain area, approximately 40 miles southeast of Casper.
Dispatched resources include: four engines, two helicopters, one Type-I hot shot crew and two TYPE-II IA hand crews.
Fire crews were on scene from the start and administered the prescribed burn to improve wildlife habitat, increase livestock forage and distribution, enhance rangeland vegetation health, reduce hazardous fuels, and open areas to grasses and forbs and new, more palatable and nutritious shrubs and aspen.
The public is urged to use caution and avoid the area since fire behavior can change and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.
For more information, please contact HDD Fire Management Officer, Frank Keeler at 307-352-0256.
Please report all wildfires immediately to the Rawlins Dispatch Center at 1-800-295-9953 or to emergency 911.