The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
Fire that burned 103 acres on the northwest edge of town is brought under control through multi-agency response
A fire started northwest of Pine Haven Wednesday, June 16. First responders received the call around 2 p.m, but people were on the scene fighting the blaze “even before it was paged out”, according to spokesperson for Crook County Emergency Management, Melanie Wilmer.
Eighty-five firefighters responded from Crook County Volunteer Fire, Moorcroft Volunteer Fire, Pine Haven Volunteer Fire, Carlile Volunteer Fire, Sundance Volunteer Fire, Aladdin Volunteer Fire, Hulett Volunteer Fire, Beulah Volunteer Fire, Oshoto Volunteer Fire Departments. These crews hit the ground running, building a fire line completely surrounding the blaze by nightfall.
Around 60 people were evacuated on Wednesday as flames moved ever closer to homes on the northwest side of town, said Wilmer.
Working in conjunction with teams from the Wyoming State Forestry, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Crook County Emergency Management, Keyhole State Park, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Forest Service and using 15 county fire engines, two privately owned blades, one county blade, one dozer, one skid steer with grapple, one 20-person hand crew, two units from the Bureau of Land Management, one unit from Wyoming State Forestry, one helicopter and one four-person Heli tack crew on site, firemen had the blaze approximately 40% contained that night and 85% by Thursday morning.
Through the diligent efforts of these men and women, only 103 acres burned and one residence, two campers and an outbuilding were the only other casualties.
The number of firefighter was reduced from the original 85 to 53 early Thursday morning to begin “mop-up” operations and as of Thursday afternoon, this fire was considered 100% contained.
Highway 113 into town was opened and residents had returned to their homes Thursday. However, Wind Creek Campground at Keyhole State Park remains closed until further notice.
The cause of this fire is thought to be human action without intent to harm.
As the town gets back to normal, the Emergency Management team reminds people of the importance of maintaining a property clear of “ladder” fuels including brush, pine needles and low hanging tree limbs. They also advise preparing a small emergency kit filled with at least two days worth of current medications, a list of these medicines, emergency contacts list, important documents and toiletries.
Ed Robinson expounded on the lack of preparedness demonstrated by those in the path of this fire: “Everyone should be ready to evacuate and be gone for two days. A lot of people don’t do this. Yesterday was a perfect example; we evacuated all of Pendleton Drive and Cedar Hills and had people go back in to get medications, their dogs…You need to be ready!”
Wilmer concurred, “You never know. If people have something put together in a little kit; that is definitely something to think about.”
For more information on how to set this kit up for themselves and their family, people are invited to visit ready.gov or americanredcross.org. Crook County Emergency Management also offers assistance in training and literature to those who call 307-283-2390.
