As the 175,000-acre House Draw Fire continues to burn in Johnson County, another northern Wyoming wildfire blew up overnight Friday.
The Remington Fire, which was estimated at about 18,000 acres Friday midday has escalated to more than 130,000 acres by Saturday morning. Starting in northern Sheridan County, the fire has pushed north into Montana, forcing evacuations and leaving ranchers hustling to save their herds and property.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible for some of the cattle Ashland, Montana, rancher Pat Dennis came across.
“Cattle losses are very high,” he posted to Facebook early Saturday, along with photos of the devastation. That included an image of cattle that had been caught and burned in the flames.
“Everywhere I look there is devastation,” he wrote. “Fire is still out of control and being driven by high winds. Ranchers in the path of this fire are having a tough time.”
That coincides with what the Tongue River Fire District reports about how the wildfire has grown.
“Fire made huge runs throughout the day and night,” the agency reports. “Pushing its way well into Montana and still on the go. Very active nighttime fire behavior with a 14-plus-mile run overnight.”
While the Remington Fire burns out of control and is 0% contained, the House Draw Fire to the south is about 25% contained, the Wyoming State Forestry Division reports. A pair of other major fires in the region, both in Campbell County, also are starting to report some containment.
The Constitution Fire burning north of Gillette is measuring at about 12,000 acres and is 25% contained, the WSFD reports. And the Flat Rock Fire at about 42,000 acres is 35% contained.
Here’s a county-by-county rundown of Wyoming’s notable wildfires:
Johnson County
Measuring about 40 miles in length from north to south and crossing Interstate 90 in Johnson County, the House Draw Fire measured at 175,691 acres as of Saturday morning and is at 25% containment, thanks to the crews' perimeter-building progress Friday, says a Saturday morning statement by incident public information officer Tyson Finnicum.
Close to 200 people are fighting this fire, which has been upgraded to a Type 3 incident under the management of a team from the U.S. Forest Service.
It’s difficult to know the extent of the loss to area ranchers and wildlife herds. One sheep rancher in the southern area of the fire described trying to save his flock and those of his neighbors.
Victor Goni described the area as a “war zone,” and that the speed of its growth was amazing.
“It blew my mind that the wind had switched just like that,” he told Cowboy State Daily reporter Pat Maio.
On the western portions of the fire between interstate 90 and Irigary Road, and north near Tipperary Road, crews have been building and joining containment lines and are now patrolling to "mop up hot spots," says Finnicum's statement.
On the south end of the fire near Irigary Road, crews deployed those same methods, with "good progress," the statement says.
The northeastern edge between Interstate 90 and Tipperary Road still has smoke and heat. Crews are maintaining hot spots and bolstering perimeters there as well. To the east, from Interstate 90 south to Irigary Road, crews secured "slop overs," or areas where the fire has breached containment lines, on Friday. That's the mode of work continuing Saturday, as crews also work to secure unburned islands within the fire.
The statement says personnel expect ongoing gusty winds up to 30 mph, with the potential to reach 40 mph Saturday afternoon. Humidity is forecasted in the 15-25% range, but Saturday is expected to be hot and dry with highs in the low 80s. Some rain is expected late Sunday afternoon.
The Remington Fire casts a red glow at night. (Broudus Volunteer Fire Department) 
A firefighter watches as the Remington Fire burns in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. (Tongue River Fire District) 
Firefighters burn fire lines while battling the Remington Fire in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. (Tongue River Fire District) 
Firefighters burn fire lines while battling the Remington Fire in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. (Tongue River Fire District) 
Vies of the Remington Fire courtesy of the Rosebud County Sheriff's Office in Montana. (Rosebud County Sheriff's Office) 
Vies of the Remington Fire courtesy of the Rosebud County Sheriff's Office in Montana. (Rosebud County Sheriff's Office) 
Bulldozers and heavy equipment work to build firelines around the Remington Fire. (Broudus Volunteer Fire Department) 
Huge swaths of burned grassland left by the Remington Fire. (Broudus Volunteer Fire Department)
Sheridan County
The fire has grown from 18,000 acres Friday to nearly 130,000 as of Saturday morning. It started in a small sliver of northern Sheridan County, Wyoming, and has since pushed about 15 miles north across the border and into Montana.
Several Montana emergency response agencies have issued wildfire warnings and evacuation notices for a situation that is unpredictable and volatile.
Campbell County
The Flat Rock and Constitution fires continue to cast a thick layer of smoke over Gillette, but seem to be showing some progress made by firefighters.
The Flat Rock Fire has grown to about 42,000 acres since its estimate of 30,000 on Thursday evening, but the Wyoming State Forestry Division reports it’s at about 35% containment.
The Constitution Fire has held at about 12,000 acres and is 25% contained, after earlier estimates placed it at 15,000 acres.
The Flat Rock Fire off Echeta Road involves a more home-dense area. Some structures have been damaged and others are threatened. Campbell County Road and Bridge and private heavy equipment rigs have helped build fire break lines around each fire, according to the Campbell County Fire Department.
Teton And Fremont Counties
The Fish Creek Fire near the Teton-Fremont county line off of Togwotee Pass has held at about 10,000 acres and is 0% contained, with voluntary evacuations still in place in the Brooks Lake Road, Pinnacle Drive, Pinnacle Lane and Breccia Drive areas.
Governor's Hand
Gov. Mark Gordon has marshaled resources to fight the five largest Wyoming fires, with a focus on preservation of life, property, and fire containment, says a statement Gordon dispatched Friday.
“Confronting fires of this size and battling against Mother Nature’s forces takes significant dedication from those on the frontlines. Thank you to all who are fighting these fires – both volunteer and full-time firefighters – you are protecting our livelihoods, homes, and landscapes,” Governor Gordon said. “Jennie and I send our prayers to everyone impacted.”
Gordon has provided a Wyoming State Forestry helicopter and helitrack firefighters, two single engine air tankers, the Wyoming Smokebusters, and numerous state staff to provide operational and administrative support, says his statement.
The state is cooperating with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, which are providing aviation resources, including:
- Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs)
- Large Air Tankers (LATs)
- Single Engine Air tankers (SEATs)
- Scooper planes
State personnel are also coordinating with local fire districts and emergency workers; state, federal and county engines; and county and private dozers and blades.
The National Guard is standing by to help if needed for evacuations, road closures, or other health and safety matters stemming from the fires.
“Due to federal restrictions, all federal, state, and county firefighting resources must be exhausted before National Guard firefighting resources can be requested,” says the statement.
Gordon concurred with the analysis of Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day, reporting that an excess of moisture in 2023 led to the extra vegetation that is now fueling the fires in a much drier year.
Other fires throughout the West are spreading firefighting resources thin.
Along with the five largest fires, many smaller fires are not 100% contained, says the statement.
Currently, Wyoming is experiencing an average number of wildfires but an above average amount of acres burned. Last year was a well-below average fire season, due to the above average amount of moisture. In 2024 to date, Wyoming has had 522 wildfires that have burned approximately 327,700 acres. Unique to this fire season is the fact that the majority of the wildfires have burned on private rather than federal lands, the statement says.
Gordon’s statement says Wyoming will focus on recovery efforts and bring in all available resources once the fires are contained. Federal partners will aid in this recovery; the USDA is offering disaster assistance to help private landowners and producers cover loss and recovery. To be eligible for recovery, producers are required to document losses. Additional recovery resources are being identified. The Legislature may consider what additional aid or support the state will provide to those impacted.
Wyoming's wildfires is a developing situation and this story will be updated as more information is available.
