Deer Creek 2 Fire Burning Near Arvada

The hot, dry weather has made the pastures and hills tinder-dry, and fire is a constant worry among ranchers and rural residents. On Monday, a fire that started along Echeta Road, in Campbell County, has grown from 150 acres to around 3,000, and was burning west towards Sheridan County.

Chris Thomas, Clearmont Fire District dispatcher, said as of 6 pm on Tuesday, the fire burned some into Sheridan County, but is still mostly in Campbell County. “We have trucks and personnel on the fire line since last night, if it does burn into Sheridan County, but for now Campbell County trucks and crews a battling the blaze.”

According to the Campbell County Fire Department news release, posted on Facebook, the cause is suspected to be a burning coal seam that surfaced and ignited the dry fuel on Monday afternoon. It is unknown how the coal seam ignited or how long it has been burning. The fire is burning in difficult, rugged terrain, on private, federal and state lands in Campbell county.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 90’s with north winds at 15-20 miles per hour gusting to 30 miles per hour and relative humidity around 16%. There is a chance of showers overnight with east-northeast winds at 15-20 miles per hour. The hot, dry conditions increase the fire danger. Around 125 people are currently fighting the fire. Resources include 3 dozers, 3 blades, 5 engines, 1 water tender, 4 hand crews, 6 field supervisors, Wyoming State Helitack and a Wyoming State Type III Incident Management Team took over this morning.

The main objective is to protect human life and safety for both firefighters and the public while protecting communities, property, natural resources and other values at risk.