Squirrel Creek Fire Map Expands Wyoming Wildfires 2012 Threat

Posted: July 2nd, 2012 in Fires by LALATE

Squirrel Creek Fire Map Expands Wyoming Wildfires 2012 Threat

ST LOUIS (LALATE) – The Squirrel Creek Fire Map expanded the threat from Wyoming wildfires today. The Squirrel Creek Fire map was updated today June 2, 2012 after the blaze began on Saturday. The fire is currently outside of Woods Landing and Lake Owen. Fire officials tell news that the Squirrel Creek Fire has burned two thousand acres, could expand dramatically Monday, and is prompting new pre-evacuation orders for residents two miles south of Lake Owen.

Squirrel Creek Fire Incident Commander Mick Hood tells news today the growth potential of the blaze today is very high due to poor weather conditions and difficult terrain. The fire which erupted at 1 pm on Saturday is now two miles south of Lake Owen and is being spread by 8 mph winds.

Officials report that a news briefing Monday will give updates on the latest firefighting effort. The fire erupted in Medicine Bow National Forest but is now three miles northwest of Woods Landing.

Evacuation orders were given to Fox Creek Road area residents Sunday. Also evacuated were residents from “Jelm Mountain on the south, north along Sheep Mountain and all the way to Highway 130.” Officials indicate that the evacuation orders now also “includes the west side of Highway 230 and Sheep Mountain, up to Lake Hattie.”

Voluntary, pre-evacuation orders, were sent Sunday to residents of Fox Park and Albany. The official news statement to those residents read “You are receiving this code red as a notice to evacuate immediately. The Squirrel Creek Fire is advancing quickly. Please advise your neighbor if you have time. Please remain calm and aware. Your evacuation point is the Albany County Fairgrounds. Please refrain from calling dispatch.”

With only fifty firefighters on scene, and a Type 3 Incident Management Team in place, new resources are expected to be dispatched today. For the latest on this and other fires, click HERE. For the latest from Inciweb about the Squirrel Creek Fire, click HERE. Officials currently put the fire located at three miles northwest of Woods Landing. For a map of Woods Landing, see below.

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