Sheriff Offers Update On Southwest Wyoming Fires

Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell on Tuesday afternoon offered updates on four fires burning in southwest Wyoming.

“Four fires continue to burn in southwest Wyoming, but are largely contained.

“The Laney Rim fire, east of Rock Springs, Wyoming, today grew to nearly 7,000 acres and is 5 percent contained. The fire is burning in sage-brush and piñon-juniper near grazing areas, priority sage-grouse habitat and oil and gas infrastructure. Low wind and lower temperatures today helped limit the spread of the fire. Low wind and temperatures are expected to continue tomorrow. A Type 3 incident crew is assuming responsibility for the fire later this evening.

“The Black Butte Fire, northeast of Rock Springs and near Black Butte Mine, is 70 percent contained and burning about 3,440 acres. There was no fire growth today, and the fire is expected to be reclassified as a Type 4 fire later this evening.

“Two other fires, the Well Fire and Big Ridge fire, are both completely contained and burning 19 and 305 acres, respectively.”