Wednesday, AUGUST 20, 2025 |
Hot, dry weather has driven the Red Canyon Fire which has burned 110,000 acres across Hot Springs, Fremont, and Washakie Counties in central Wyoming, south of Thermopolis.
About 500 personnel are on scene fighting the fire, which slowed some on Tuesday. On Monday evening, the Thermopolis High School was packed as residents gathered to hear from state and federal land officials about ongoing suppression efforts.
Governor Mark Gordon attended the meeting. Earlier in the day, the governor declared a state of emergency. FEMA followed with approval of a Fire Management Assistance Grant, freeing up money for firefighting costs.
The fire started one week ago on August 13. Over the next six days, flames had burned nearly 108,000 acres of mostly grass and sagebrush, leaving area ranchers concerned for their livestock.
A Level Three evacuation order has been issued for the portions of Hot Springs and Fremont Counties closest to the blaze. Level Three evacuation is the highest level of alert during a wildfire emergency, signaling that your area is in immediate danger and you must leave at once.
Hot, dry conditions with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees and humidity dropping into the mid-teens have helped drive the fire.
According to maps of the area, Buffalo Creek Road is closed through the burn zone. Six different firefighting divisions are working to secure the perimeter of the fire zone, protecting structures and building fire-line. Ground and aviation crews are working together to secure the edge of the fire on the south.
The latest map on Tuesday indicated that the fire was continuing to progress toward the southeast.
The fire appears to have been caused by lightning sometime last week.
Aerial operations have been intensive, with helicopters, scoopers, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flight conducting water drops, and reconnaissance missions.
The hot, dry weather continued in central Wyoming Tuesday with afternoon with temperatures nearing 100 degrees with low humidity.
Crews used planned burns yesterday, north of Bull Mountain and west of Pack Saddle Road. The burn operations reduce fuels and strengthen fire-lines.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Wyoming State Forestry Division estimates the damage cost to date at $2,184,787.
