UPDATE @ 6:40 p.m. on August 23, 2024:
Evacuations Lifted
According to the official House Draw Fire Facebook page evacuations in nearby areas have been lifted.
This previously affected areas including:
North I-90 from Tipperary Road to Northern and Eastern Lines
Buffalo Sussex Cutoff
Prarie Land Village
Between Cook Road and I-90
However, county roads Tipperary, Irigary, Nine Mile, and Sussex remain open to LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY at this time.
Sheridan County Sheriff's Office says that after discussions with the House Draw Fire Incident Command and Sheridan County Emergency Management, the Voluntary Evacuation Notice has been liftedfor the area east of Double Cross Roadand north of Johnson County line to Highway 14.
This includes the Clearmont and Arvada areas.
Stay Informed
Residents returning to homes after evacuation are advised by authorities to be aware that is still fire activity in the area. As of Friday morning, the House Draw Fire is reported as 0% contained.
SCSO also cautions that the House Draw Fire still has not been fully contained at this time and that further notices could be issued based on the developing situation. Those nearby should stay informed and check for continued updates fromlocal authorities.
AnInciWeb pagehas been created for the House Draw Fire
Authorities have also established an officialHouse Draw Fire WY Facebook page.
Remington Fire
SCSO adds that the Remington Fire is actively burning in the northeast portion of Sheridan County and extends into Montana. SCSO urges that everyone should avoid that area so firefighters can work efficiently. They will provide additional updates as they become available.
The Remington Fire is located to the east of Tongue River Reservoir, and the DNRC estimates it has burned128,771 acres as of 4:09 p.m. on Friday.
UPDATE @ 2:25 p.m. on August 23, 2024:
Johnson County Emergency Declaration
Earlier today, Johnson County Emergency Management (JCEM) announced that County Commissioners have signed an emergency declaration to allow more resources
JCEM is asking residents to NOT CALL police/sheriff dispatch for ongoing updates as they are being overwhelmed with calls. At this time, it should not be used for anything other than service or emergency calls and NOT as a source of information.
Official sources of information have been established for residents to stay updated. "Several agencies have worked diligently to gather information and confirm it is not only accurate, but also funneled to one location to avoid conflicting or incorrect information," said JCEM.
Official House Draw Fire Updates
An InciWeb page has been created for the House Draw Fire
Authorities have also established an officialHouse Draw Fire WY Facebook pageto provide continued updates to the public related to the wildfire.
There is some discrepancy in reported sizes of the House Draw Fire:
TheDNRC estimates the House Draw Fire has burned 174,386 acres as of 9:12 p.m. on August 22.
The InciWeb pageestimates the House Draw Fire has burned 165,000 acres as of roughly 1:55 p.m. on August 23.
The House Draw Fire WY Facebook pageestimates the House Draw Fire has burned 163,466 acres as of 7:29 p.m. on August 22.
It is unclear which estimate is the most accurate, though the DNRC is more recent than the Facebook page and the InciWeb page has been rounded to a less specific number. NonStop Local will work to clarify which estimate is most accurate and provide an update as we find out.
Evacuations & Closures
According to the House Draw Fire WY Facebook, Evacuations are in place for:
North I-90 from Tipperary Road to Northern and Eastern Lines
Buffalo Sussex Cutoff
Prarie Land Village
Between Cook Road and I-90
It is not clarified whether these are Evacuation Notices, Evacuation Warnings, or Evacuation Orders. Residents should practice extreme caution and should stay informed from local authorities.
JCEM says, "Roads in areas where the fire has occurred are open to LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY. If you evacuated your homes and would like to return, please use extreme caution."
At 7:23 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, Sheridan County Government said they have maintained their Voluntary Evacuation Notice issuedfor the area east of Double Cross Roadand north of Johnson County line to Highway 14.For any questions, residents should contact Sheridan County Emergency Management at (307)752-2174.
I-90 was reopened between Buffalo and Gillette as of Thursday evening.
Response Efforts
Currently there are 23 engines responding to the fire as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday.
- Blades and Dozers are assisting on the ground
There are 3 Type 2 Handcrews and 2 type 1 helicopters assisting.
(According to the Forest Service, Type 2 Handcrews are a team of roughly 20 members who do not have the same training as a Type 1 Crew and that cannot break into smaller independent squads like a Type 2 IA Crew.)
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, "Type 1 helicopters are the largest, fastest flying and the most expensive helicopters used on wildland fires. They can typically carry 700 gallons of water or retardant via a bucket or a snorkel that fills an internal tank."
Responding agencies include: Johnson County Fire Control District #1, Clearmont Fire, Powder River Fire, WY State Forestry, BLM, Forest Service
Current Damages
No primary structures have been lost as of yet.
A few outbuildings have been burned
"Many miles of fence, oil and gas infrastructure, water tanks, wildlife habitat, and livestock threatened."
Please practice extreme caution in the area of the House Draw Fire. If you feel unsafe it is better to over prepare yourself and your loved ones in advance. Homes and property can be replaced, lives cannot.
NonStop Local will continue to follow the House Draw Fire situation as it develops and provide updates from authorities as they become available.
UPDATE @ 9:50 p.m. on August 22, 2024:
TheDNRC Interactive Fire Mapreports that the House Draw Fire has grown to 174,386 acres as of 9:12 p.m. on Thursday, August 22.
WY DOT and Buffalo Police Department announced earlier today that I-90 has been reopened between Buffalo and Gillette.
Sheridan County Government also saidearlier this eveningthat fire command on the House Draw Fire recommended no change to the voluntary evacuation order east of Double Cross Road north to Highway 14 from the Johnson County line.
UPDATE @ 4:14 p.m. on August 22, 2024
House Draw Fire Impacts
The DNRC Interactive Fire Map reports that the House Draw Fire is estimated to have burned through 169,770 acres as of 3:28 p.m. on Thursday, August 22.
Buffalo Police Department says the fire has impacted areas as far north as Tipperary Road and as far south as Lower Sussex. They say that Tipperary Road remains open to residents at this time, however BPD emphasized that anyone entering the fire-affected areas should practice extreme caution at all times.
BPD says the fire has shown extreme behavior in the past 24 hours due to unpredictable weather conditions and advise residents to expect low visibility in the nearby area due to smoke.
Road Closures
WYDOT says that I-90 remains CLOSED between Buffalo and Gillette as hotspots remain nearby creating limited visibility as winds and temperatures have picked up.
They suggest using US14/16 as an alternate route from either Buffalo Sheridan or Gillette. Drivers should consultwyoroad.infofor traffic updates.
MT-59S had been closed temporarily between Broadus all the way to Gillette, but has been reopeded as of Thursday Afternoon according to Powder River County Sheriff's Office.
Sheridan County Voluntary Evacuation Notice
Sheridan County Government says that there has been no change in the Voluntary Evacuation Notice that was issued on Wednesday for the area east of Double Cross Roadand north of Johnson County line to Highway 14.
SCG emphasized that residents in the area of Clearmont and Arvada should take time to prepare their loved ones and their belongings to be able to evacuate.
They say that expected high temperatures and gusty winds this afternoon are preventing the fire command from lifting the notice.
Safety Resources
SCG says shelter is available in Buffalo at the Bomber Mountain Civic Center, located at 63 N Burritt Ave.
Additionally, Sheridan County Fairgrounds can accept pets and livestock for nearby residents. Anyone interested or if anyone needs to shelter in Sheridan, please contact Jesse with emergency management at (307)752-2174 with any questions.
UPDATE @ 10:50 p.m. on August 21, 2024:
Sheridan County Government announced there is a Voluntary Evacuation Notice that has been issued for the area east of Double Cross Road and north of Johnson County line to Highway 14.
This includes Clearmont and Arvada.
Again, this is not a mandatory order. However, authorities say that this should provide residents the proper time to prepare their loved ones and their belongings in the event an Evacuation Order is issued.
Original coverage @ 4:43 p.m. on August 21, 2024:
I-90 Closure
BUFFALO, Wyo. - Wyoming Department of Transportation (WY DOT) said Wednesday that they have shut down I-90 between Buffalo and Gillette due active fire danger in the area.
The closure was officially instated at 2:28 pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 and affects I-90 in both directions.
WY DOT did not provide additional details regarding the closure of I-90 and said that there is currently no estimated reopening time.
House Draw Fire
Bureau of Land Management - Wyoming says that fire crews are currently responding to the House Draw Fire which is located southeast of Buffalo.
Responding agencies include fire engines from Johnson County, Powder River Fire Department and the Forest Service, as well as aerial support from single engine airtankers and a large airtanker. BLM - WY said that a "Very Large Airtanker" has also been ordered to help combat the flames.
The fire is currently estimated at 4,000 acres.
Evacuation Orders
Johnson County Emergency Management has placed evacuation orders for residents between Cook Road and I-90, east of Trabing. Residents on Trabing are not currently under evacuation orders.
Public Safety
BLM-WY warned residents that the fire is fast-moving and being fueled by winds and advised the public to avoid the area until further notice.
Through the Wyoming Travel Information Map, WY DOT reminded drivers that parking on the roadway is prohibited and will delay WY DOT from being able to reopen the road.
WY DOT advises drivers to keep an eye out for further updates atwyoroad.info. and on the WY DOT DIstrict 4 - Northeast Wyoming Facebook page.
You can visit map.wyoroad.info/wtimapfor a map of road closures throughout Wyoming.
Responding agencies include fire engines from Johnson County, Powder River Fire Department and the Forest Service, as well as aerial support from single engine airtankers and a large airtanker. BLM - WY said that a "Very Large Airtanker" has also been ordered to help combat the flames.
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