Update 7 p.m.: This story and headline have been updated to revlect a new estimate based on better information puts the size of the fire at about 30,500 acres Thursday evening.
Update 1 p.m.: This story and headline have been updated to reflect the fire has grown to an estimated 40,000 acres, about double what had been reported Thursday morning.
A fast-moving and unpredictable wildfire near the Wyoming-Montana border has grown to an estimated 30,500 acres and prompted an urgent evacuation notice for residents and ranchers north of Recluse in Campbell County.
The Short Draw Fire was discovered about 2 p.m. Wednesday, and by Thursday evening had burned through about 30,500 acres in northern Wyoming and into southern Montana. The fire was estimated at about 20,000 acres Thursday morning, said Campbell County Fire Marshal Stuart Burnham.
That’s less than the 40,000 acres estimated earlier Thursday. As crews continue to fight the fire, better information is available to make a size estimate, he said.
People in the Border Line Estates and Ranchettes subdivisions have been warned to evacuate, a notice Burhman said they should take seriously. The fire so far is volatile, unpredictable and has already claimed some buildings, said Campbell County Fire Marshal Stuart Burnham.
“This fire is very active in multiple places and growing rapidly,” he said. “It’s going to continue to grow and be very active.”
It’s just east of the Silver Spoon and Remington fires, which collectively have burned more than 200,000 acres in northern Wyoming and southern Montana. The Short Draw Fire has run north and is about two-thirds in Montana, Burnham said.
What’s already been a very active fire season in Campbell County continues with not much relief in sight. The fires have stretched local resources, Burnham said.
“The guys are doing the best that they can,” he said. “We’ve given as many resources and equipment to the Short Draw Fire as we can.”
On the other side of the border, Montana agencies also are fighting the fire.
Volatile
The fire remains out of control and wind can change its course, Burnham said.
“We’re thinking it’s going to continue to grow to the north; however, with those storms to the west (expected), those winds can be erratic,” he said.
The fire is burning through grass, brush and some timber, and “unfortunately” has also burned some structures, Burnham added. Just how many structures and whether any are primary residences for people isn’t known.
In the mean time, “please still follow those evacuation orders, because of the lack of containment lines,” he said. “The wind could push the fire.”
Fire crews are on the ground in Wyoming and Montana, the Campbell County Fire Department reports.
“The sporadic winds are posing challenges for firefighting efforts, so we kindly ask the public to stay out of the area,” a CCFD statement says. “Multiple firefighting resources for Wyoming and Montana, including heavy equipment and aircraft, are on scene.”
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department) 
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department) 
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department) 
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department) 
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department) 
The Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County and southern Montana exploded to about 20,000 acres overnight Sept. 11-12, 2024. (Campbell County Fire Department)
How’d It Start?
For now, a cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, Burnham said.
What fire officials know is that it appears to have started near some structures and a road.
Along with the Short Draw Fire, local firefighters continue to battle and monitor numerous other fires around Campbell County.
Those include the Silver Spoon Fire just west of the Short Draw, which burned about 1,700 acres and is still under investigation.
Closer to the county seat of Gillette, the Constitution Fire to the north has burned nearly 25,000 acres and is 95% contained, the Wyoming State Forestry Division reports. To the west of the city, the Flat Rock Fire is 97% contained and has burned more than 52,000 acres.
Other Fires
Meanwhile, other notable wildfires continue to burn in other parts of northern Wyoming.
• The Warm Springs Fire burning about 5 miles southeast of Thermopolis has held at about 1,600 acres as of Wednesday evening, and is about 30% contained, the WSFD reports.
• The Fish Creek Fire has burned nearly 25,000 acres in Bridger-Teton National Forest and is 69% complete as of Wednesday evening.
Contact Greg Johnson at greg@cowboystatedaily.com
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
