State Park Crew Fights 2-Acre Boysen Dam Wildfire With Bathroom Cleaning Supplies

Wildfire and Wyoming State Parks crews put down a 2-acre brush fire at Boysen Dam on Monday with a local maintenance crew initially fighting the wildfire with their bathroom cleaning supplies. The fire's cause is under investigation.

Clair McFarland

September 11, 20231 min read

Fire crews converged Monday on a brush fire that caused a two-hour closure of the Boysen Dam in central Wyoming.

The fire's cause is under investigation, a law enforcement agent told Cowboy State Daily.

The fire was reported at about 11:40 a.m. Boysen State Park maintenance staffers were first on scene, and they fought the fire with their bathroom-cleaning pressure washers until other personnel arrived, Boysen State Park Lt. Craig Howell told Cowboy State Daily.

More State Park agents arrived and called for the Fremont County Fire District and Thermopolis Fire to send aid.

The Shoshoni and Missouri Valley posts each sent one fire truck. Thermopolis Fire sent two trucks, and two Wyoming Game and Fish wardens arrived to help as well.

Authorities closed the area for about two hours while containing the 2-acre fire. They also evacuated visitors who were at the popular fishing boat unloading spot because they were concerned that the fire would jump the road and spread said Howell.

A morning wind drove the blaze up the hill.