Guernsey State Park Fire at 95-Percent Containment

The Guernsey State Park Fire at 2,681 acres is now at 95-percent containment as of Wednesday morning.

There are 424 local and agency firefighters from around the region working this fire. Hand crews and engines are continuing mop up operations and will be supported by one Type 2 helicopter and two Type 3 helicopters.

Evacuation notices and road closures have been lifted for the community of Hartville and the residents of Pleasant Valley Road. Guernsey State Park officials will allow persons with cabins, boats or private property escorted access in and out of the park Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

State park officials intend to allow cabin owners access on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 15th, 16th and 17th). Also beginning on Friday June 15th, park officials will allow access for persons with the reservations for this weekend for Sandy Beach, Sandy Point, Sandy Cove, West Sand and Cottonwood Cove campgrounds. Long Canyon Campground, accessed only through Hartville will also be open beginning on Friday June 15th.

For more information on restrictions or to coordinate an escort into the park contact the state park office at 777-6324. Openings and restrictions are subject to change based on assessment of  fire hazard conditions. Over the next several days small plumes of smoke may be visible within the fire boundary.  Residents and visitors are urged to refrain from taking any action in extinguishing these small smoke plumes. You may notify local authorities of concerns by calling 911.

A standing room only crowd of 115 citizens attended the community meeting held at Guernsey-Sunrise School last night. Officials from the Rocky Mountain Area Incident Management Team C, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Dept of Emergency Management, Wyoming State Forestry Division, Platte County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Mayor of Guernsey and the Mayor of Hartville briefed those in attendance on the history of the events leading up to the Guernsey State Park fire as well as the current situation and future outlook. Team C Incident Commander Joe Lowe stated: “The local emergency responders from the communities of Guernsey and Hartville are the real heroes of this tremendous effort. We stepped in and built upon what they started and as a result we have had a positive outcome. Together we worked as ‘One Team, One Fight’.”