forest fire

Wildfires burning in the Mountain West often don't carry with them good news as people lose their homes, livelihoods or even their lives.

Wildland firefighting crews throughout the Cowboy State were busy over the weekend as fires began popping up around Wyoming.

Stage 1 fire restrictions will take effect in parts of eastern and central Wyoming beginning Tuesday.

The fire, which started last week, has grown to 697 acres.

A red flag warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday. Crews expect to contend with warm and dry weather along with winds gusting up to 30 mph.

Crews are continuing to protect other Albany County communities.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says it has burned more land than all the wildfires recorded in California from 1932 to 1999.

As of Wednesday evening, the blaze was over 106,000 acres and had expanded into Colorado,

The potential for the fire to spread continues to be high and is expected to stay that way for at least the next 72 hours.

The Lone Star Fire started on Aug. 22.