UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: This story has been updated to reflect the size of the fire at more than 107,000 acres.
With the Red Canyon Fire burning about 11 miles east of Thermopolis passing 100,000 acres in size, Gov. Mark Gordon has declared a fire emergency, even as crews report it’s 28% contained.
That’s a significant turning a huge corner from a fast-growing fire that’s been burning out of control since it was started by a lightning strike last Wednesday, said a spokeswoman for the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 2 (RMCIMT2), which has taken over management of the firefighting efforts.
“Right now, we’re getting our boots on the ground, and everything is progressing in our favor,” said the team’s public information specialist, who said she only goes by KT.
Escalating the 107,000-acre Red Canyon Fire to a higher priority not only brings in a new management team, it also opens the door for more resources. There are now 425 people working the fire, along with numerous air resources, including a new helibase established for the effort.
While effective in setting fire lines, those air drops of water and fire-retardant slurry require a lot of manpower on the ground, KT said.
“Aviation, they are a fantastic resource, but you have to have personnel on the ground after aviation to really secure that line,” she said. “That’s a focus on some of the fire perimeter today.”
The team also warns property owners that, despite the desire to protect their homes and land, they need to stay out of the fire area.
“Some property owners are taking independent actions to protect their homes, but this creates safety risks and diverts resources from firefighting,” according to the RMCIMT2 report.
That also goes for people flying drones over and around the fire, KT said. While there haven’t been any reported drones interfering with the Red Canyon Fire, they have been a problem with other fires.
In June, someone flying a drone over the Horse Fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest grounded all the aircraft working that incident.
“We’ve had close calls and incidents (with drones) nationwide, so it is a stark reminder that it’s very dangerous,” KT said. “If the drones are up, we certainly don’t want to put our aviation at risk.”
Photo of the Red Canyon Fire off of Boysen Reservoir (Reader photo: Haley Mele) 
The Red Canyon Fire advances overnight Friday on the south side of Buffalo Creek Road. (Thermopolis Police Department) 
A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path. (Brandon Blakesly, Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department) 
A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path. (Brandon Blakesly, Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department)
It’s An Emergency
Gordon’s Monday order declaring a wildfire emergency in Wyoming opens the doors to more federal firefighting resources, the governor said in a statement
“Once again, wildfires in Wyoming are creating significant impacts on our communities and threatening lives and property,” he said. “We will continue to ensure state resources are available to those affected by these fires.”
Also burning in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin is the Sleeper Ranch fire northeast of Meeteetse, which has burned 20,657 acres and is 40% contained; and the Spring Creek fire about 10 miles southeast of Ten Sleep, which has burned 3,575 acres and is 24% contained.
FEMA also has given the green light for Wyoming’s request for Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant money to help with costs related to the Red Canyon Fire, Gordon said in his statement.
That could be significant. The National Interagency Fire Center estimates that the Red Canyon Fire so far has cost an estimated $2.1 million to fight.
Looking Ahead
With more personnel and equipment, along with establishing some containment, firefighters are able to take a more offensive tack. That can be both helped and hindered by Wyoming’s summer weather.
Thunderstorms in the area produced a little rain over the burn area Sunday, but those storms also bring lightning and the potential for more strikes.
A community meeting with the RMCIMT2 team begins at 7 p.m. Monday at Hot Springs County High School in Thermopolis.
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
