Cow Camp Fire Continues to Grow

A growing, 1000+ acre wildfire has been burning in North Albany County since Sunday night. The Cow Camp fire is located about five miles southeast of Laramie Peak and is currently burning on the Medicine Bow National Forest. Forest Service officials say the exact fire size remains difficult to determine due to rough terrain. Perimeter was flown on Tuesday morning to get a more accurate size.

The fire suppression effort is currently under command of a Type III Incident Management Team. As of Tuesday at noon, 120 crew members are on scene, including a Type III helicopter. Type I air tanker is in route from Jeffco, as well as three single-engine airtankers. A dozer and hand crews are working to establish line. At this time there is no direct attack due to the terrain. Focus is on establishing a larger perimeter.

Officials say no structures are currently threatened, but 10 structures are within two miles of the fire. The fire is east of Cottonwood Park Road, County Road 71 and south of County Road 716, the Fletcher Park Road. Both roads are still open, but manned by the Albany County Sheriff's Dept.  The North Laramie River Trail head, northeast of the fire, and the road into the trail are both closed.

The fire was discovered Monday morning by Black Mountain Lookout and erratic fire behavior was observed. Terrain in the remote area is rough and the fire is burning in grass, brush and mixed conifer. Officials say lightning is suspected to have started the blaze.