(Hot Springs County, WY) – Rocky Mountain 2 Team has shared the Red Canyon Fire update for today, August 21, which indicates the fire grew to 126,683 acres since yesterday, and has risen to 31% containment.
603 personnel are currently addressing the fire.
Operations Section Chief, Jason Rodriguez, also shared the following video briefing on Thursday morning.
The rest of today’s update is below.
Highlights: Today’s increase in reported acreage is primarily the result of firing operations on the eastern side of the fire in Div. H. While these firing operations increased the total acreage, they successfully strengthened the southeast corner and lowered the chance of the fire moving beyond containment lines.
Operations: Yesterday, crews made more progress across all divisions, focusing on mop-up, patrol, and securing firelines. Divis. C and O continued mop up and hot spot work, with Div. C moving closer to containment along Wildhorse Butte Road. In Div. N, crews secured the line to prevent southern movement, while in Div. M the fireline was reinforced and mopped up. Div. H advanced along Pack Saddle Road, where firefighters picked up two spot fires, conducted defensive burning, and strengthened fireline along the road. Div. G remained in patrol status, addressing scattered hot spots. This morning, air attack launched early, followed by scoopers and helicopters assisting by late morning. Today, crews are continuing this work across the fire, with Divs. C, O, N, M, and G maintaining mop up and patrol, while Div. H crews plan to begin mopping up the outer edge along Pack Saddle Road if overnight progress holds.
Weather: Yesterday, outflow winds started around 6 a.m. and coupled with single-digit humidity, created unpredictable fire behavior on the east side along Pack Saddle Road. Today will bring lighter winds overall, but there is a chance of thunderstorms. A weak cold front moving through in the morning will cool temperatures by about 10–15 degrees. The main concern is the potential for dry thunderstorms in the afternoon, which could produce lightning and gusty outflow winds. Humidity is expected to rise into the upper teens as a result of the front.
Closures: Closures include Buffalo Creek Road at the cattle guard, closed to all traffic, and eastbound Black Mountain Road from Cowboy Mine Road. Updates are available at
Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Buffalo Creek Road between Jones Creek Road and Reck Road, extending to the Fremont County line. This includes Kirby Creek, Lake Creek, Bridger Creek, and the Pack Saddle area. Kirby Creek Road between Red Hole Road and Buffalo Creek Road was previously evacuated. Evacuations are in place for Fremont County zones 4 and 8 and zones 5 and 6 east of North Bridger to Nowood Road and Nowood Road to the Natrona County line.
Safety: We encourage property owners to work and in coordination with fire managers. Together, we can reduce risks, keep firefighters focused, and strengthen community safety. A TFR is in place—drones are prohibited. If you fly, we can’t.