Crews continue to extinguish hot spots north of Kaycee as WYDOT begins repairs

Powder River District fire crews shut down sections of I-25 due to a fire just north of Kaycee on July 16. 

Known as the 25 Incident, the fire began at approximately 1 p.m. July 16, and burned approximately 1960 acres between mile marker 265 and 270. A second smaller fire – the Cash Draw fire – located just south of the 25 Incident, burned 55 acres and was also worked through the night. 

The cause of both fires is undetermined, according to Powder River District Public Information Officer Marilyn Connolly.

Fire crews from the Powder River District, Johnson County Fire District 1, The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service worked the fire and are currently monitoring and extinguishing any remaining hotspots, Connolly said. 

Aircraft from the Wyoming State Forestry Division as well as Colorado and South Dakota were used to dump slurry and water on the fire as well as motorized blades to slow spread. 

Teams have contained the fire but continue to extinguish hot spots and monitor the area to ensure the fires do not reignite. Wyoming Department of Transportation crews have already begun to replace fence posts damaged in the blaze.