Ryan Fire creeps into Carbon County
As of Monday evening, the Ryan Fire was burning on more than 2,500 acres of National Forest Land on the Wyoming-Colorado border south of Hog Park. The fire started Saturday night on the northern edge of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness area in Colorado. Driven by strong winds, it crossed into Carbon County Sunday evening. The fire slowed down Monday.
Aaron Voos with the U.S. Forest Service office in Laramie told Bigfoot 99 Monday that most of the 60 personnel working the fire are from district offices on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. The fire has affected hunt areas on both sides of the state line. Voos said the Forest Service is working with hunters to reopen areas where fire activity has decreased.
A Type II Incident team is scheduled to assume control of fire suppression operations today. The team will headquarter at the fairgrounds in Walden, Colorado. According to the latest information, no structures have been destroyed by the fire or are at risk at this time. The nearest structures to the fire are approximately three miles to the northeast in Wyoming at Big Creek and Jerry Parks.
In Carbon County, fire-related closures include the south side of Forest Roads 496 and 404, as well as the area around Blackhall Mountain.
New county maps make recreation more user-friendly
Scenic beauty and outdoor recreation are two of the biggest draws that Carbon County offers both to residents and visitors. A new set of maps will make it all even easier to find. They are the result of a partnership between the Carbon County Visitors Council and a company called Great Outdoor Consultants. Cali O’Hare has the details.
Encampment working to slow down speeders
Over the summer, the Town of Encampment tried different ways to slow down drivers as they enter the town from Battle Pass. A flashing speed limit sign and temporary rumble strips have been used to address the issue, but with little effect. Emma Diercks reports.
WHP seek trucker who drove through crash scene
The Wyoming Highway Patrol is looking for the driver of a tractor-trailer combination that drove through the scene of a fatal crash near Elk Mountain early Saturday morning. According to the patrol, the driver they are looking for was not involved in the crash but may have information helpful to the investigation.
Lieutenant Kelly Finn with the WHYP’s Elk Mountain Division said a 49-year-old Windsor, Colorado man and a female juvenile also from Colorado were killed when their sedan drove into the back of a disabled tractor-trailer truck that was parked on the side of the interstate because of mechanical problems.
Lt. Finn said the second truck came upon the scene seconds after the crash and then was observed driving off.
A release from the Highway Patrol said the truck that left the scene may have suffered some damage after driving through the debris field of the crash scene. The identities of the two victims have not been released, Lt. Finn said.
Whether conditions were clear and road conditions were dry at the time of the crash, which was shortly after midnight on September 15th. Driver fatigue and alcohol are being investigated as contributing factors.
Public lands committee postpones proposals
While recommendations have been made for some of Carbon County’s Wilderness Study Areas, the local Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Committee is not ready to submit their proposals. The committee hopes to learn more about the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation recommended for the Encampment River before moving forward.
Sports: Panthers off to hot start
Highlights:
- Injuries were a major concern heading into last Saturday’s win over Wofford for the Cowboy football team.
- Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has had a bit of time to take away bits and pieces from his performance from his NFL debut.
- Denver football: The Broncos defeated their long time rival the Raiders and it took everything they had to do so.
