Crime and Courts Reporter

Clair McFarland

Clair McFarland is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.

Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentine's Day, 2022.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

Crews worked to save the historic Poker Jim Fire Lookout tower in Custer National Forest, Montana, from the Remington Fire. "Flames burned under and past the station but rendered no notable damage to the structure," the BLM reports.

Remington Fire Now At 200,000 Acres, But Wildfire East Of Gillette Has Priority

The Remington Fire that started in Wyoming and sprinted into Montana has grown to about 200,000 acres Monday and is 5% contained. But because of nearby residential and ranch neighborhoods, a 53,000-acre blaze west of Gillette has priority.

Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024

Riverton Fire Department Disavows Former Member After Sex Assault Claims

The Riverton Volunteer Fire Department has disavowed a retired firefighter accused of sexually attacking women. The agency says Charlie Lawrence retired in 2020 and no longer has a connection with the department.

Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024

On the fire lines battling the Remington Fire.

Wildfires Have Blazed Through 430,000 Acres In Northern Wyoming And Montana

The Remington Fire that started in northern Wyoming and ran into Montana exploded again overnight Saturday and Sunday to nearly 200,000 acres. Including other major events in the region, wildfires have blazed through more than 430,000 acres.

Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024

Ranchers and construction workers are helping build fire lines around the huge House Draw Fire in Johnson County.

Construction Crews, Ranchers With Weed Sprayers Battle Huge Wyoming Fires

With aggressive wildfires having already burned 250,000 acres across northern Wyoming, it’s all hands on deck. In addition to firefighters, construction crews with bulldozers and ranchers with weed sprayers are also on the fire lines.

Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2024

An apartment building was evacuated while Casper police negotiated with a suspect barricaded in one of the apartments Aug. 22-23, 2024.

16-Hour Standoff At Casper Apartment Ends With Nobody Hurt

A standoff with a subject barricaded in a Casper apartment since about 11:30 p.m. Thursday is over. The standoff ended "peacefully" Friday afternoon after about 16 hours.

Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

The Remington Fire in Sheridan County, like others in northern Wyoming, continues to grow and tax firefighting resources.

Wildfires Have Ravaged More Than 250,000 Acres Across Northern Wyoming

Friday update: Wildfires raging across northern Wyoming have burned more than 250,000 acres. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but agencies have had to call in firefighting machines and personnel from many other regions.

Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

Brief: Police Suspect Shooting-Suicide At Lander Apartment Complex

Police in Lander, Wyoming, are investigating a person who shot another then shot his- or herself Friday morning. An investigation continues, and police say there’s no threat to the community.

Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

Riverton Man Accused Of Offering Women Rides, Then Attacking Them

A Riverton man faces up to 35 years in prison for allegedly offering women rides, then sexually attacking them. He case rose to felony-level court Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

The Remington Fire is burning in northern Sheridan County near the Montana border.

With Wildfires Burning All Around, Sheridan County Fights Its Own 10,000-Acre Blaze

With wildfires burning more than 200,000 acres nearby, firefighting resources are thin in northern Wyoming. Sheridan County is pressing on fighting its own 10,000-acre blaze near the Montana state line.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Jaime Cronin encountered the Barber Fire as she drove home to Casper from Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday evening. She snuck through Interstate 25 just before authorities closed it from Douglas to Casper.

Much Of Northern Wyoming Is On Fire, But Converse County Is OK For Now

Lightning-caused fires are devouring huge swaths of northern Wyoming, but to the south, Converse County got a lucky break when a Wednesday-evening rainstorm helped stifle its large fire.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Huge plumes of smoke from the House Creek Fire as it burns past the home of Ashley Malcom near Buffalo, Wyoming. Malcom said the fire moved fast, but thankfully missed her property.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Explodes To Nearly 200,000 Acres, Others Also Burning

A wildfire burning out of control in northern Wyoming east of Buffalo has exploded and is pushing 200,000 acres. Ranchers are scrambling to help fight that and other wildfires in the area to save their homes and animals.

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 22, 2024

Wildfire burns overnight in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and putting others on notice of possible evacuations.

Evacuations, Road Closures As Wildfires Blow Up Across Northern Wyoming

Hot, windy and dry conditions have conspired to blow up new and existing wildfires across northern and central Wyoming. The fires have also prompted evacuations and closures of parts of Interstates 90 and 25.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

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The Horse Draw Fire in Johnson County flared up Wednesday, forcing a closure of Interstate 90 and evacuations. In this still shot from a short video posted by YouTube user @bec4337, huge plumes of smoke are ahead as cars are stranded on a closed I-90.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Spreads To 5,000-Plus Acres, Forces Evacuations

A wildfire spread to more than 5,000 acres Wednesday, forcing about 10 Johnson County families to evacuate. It’s also shut down I-90 between Buffalo and Gillette.