By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
Photo Credit: Big Laramie Volunteer Fire Department Station 4
The wintry weather and cool temperatures helped keep the Mullen Fire at bay on Sunday, officials announced on Monday morning.
The fire that’s burning in Medicine Bow National Forest only grew by 29 acres on Sunday and has affected 175,564 acres as of Monday morning. The containment rate is at 27%, 2% more than Sunday.
Fire operations manager John Wallace said in a Monday morning update in that firefighters would focus on protecting structures in the Ryan Park area, as well checking on any small fires that may be left in the Albany community.
“South of Albany, between Highway 11 and the 230 Road, I’m going to put eyes on that area today,” Wallace said. “I think we’re going to be able to call that all contained and controlled in this area [soon].”
While officials were expecting wind on Monday, cool temperatures were also predicted. Combined with the effects from Sunday’s snow, fire activity was expected to be diminished.
Firefighters planned to work on extinguishing the fire’s edges on Monday once it was safe to do so, but windy conditions added to the danger of falling snags, limbs and fire-weakened trees.
According to an update on the fire tracking website InciWeb, strong winds will be the biggest concern for fire crews until at least Wednesday.
