(Fremont County WY) – Fire crews responded to two fires Thursday evening, August 27, Fremont County Fire Protection District Chief Ron Wempen confirmed with County 10 on Friday; one in the Sand Draw area and the other east of Shoshoni.
Chief Wempen shared that the fire on Hwy 135 in the Sand Draw area is believed to have been caused by lightning, and was quickly extinguished by rain from the storm that was moving through the County at the time. The fire reached approximately half an acre in size.
Battalion 1 Central, Battalion 10 Hudson, Battalion 3 Lander Rural, and Jeffrey City Fire all responded to the fire along with the US Wildland Fire Service, which ultimately took over the operations due to its location.
The other fire was east of Copper Mountain (east of Shoshoni, north of the Badwater Road) and was actively burning sage, grass, and junipers in a draw, Chief Wempen explained.
Battalion 2 Lysite, Battalion 14 Shoshoni, Battalion 4 Missouri Valley, Battalion 8 Midvale, and the USWFS responded, followed by the State of Wyoming Forestry Gannett Peak Fire Module just before dark.
Despite not receiving any rain relief, the fire was held to 17 acres with the help of Single-Engine Air Tankers, with progression ceasing around dusk. The State and USWFS units stayed overnight and are continuing to extinguish hot spots today, Chief Wempen added. While inconclusive at this time, Chief Wempen said the fire is believed to have been lightning-caused as well.
The Watch Duty App update shared around 10 AM this morning put the fire at 16.28 acres.