Russell’s Camp Fire At 5400+ Acres (UPDATE)

Suppression activities on Sunday went well on the Russell’s Camp Fire. Crews completed a burn out[i] operation yesterday on the northeast corner of the fire. Firefighters burned off the dozer line on the northeast corner towards the west. Burning operations went well and crews monitored the area throughout the night.

The Russell’s Camp Fire in southwest Converse County continues to grow and is now estimated at over 5,400+ acres.

Weather today is expected to be favorable for suppression efforts. Winds are expected to die down later in the day, however early morning gusts of up to 30 miles per hour were experienced near the fire. An increased chance of thunderstorms is expected today, and a Red Flag Warning remains in place until midnight tonight. Tuesday’s weather will be hotter, drier weather with strong wind gusts expected.

Fire crews continue to face tough conditions with hot, dry, windy weather. Tough terrain and steep conditions continue to challenge crews. Heat exhaustion and dehydration remains a concern.

Today’s operations will include:

Division A (south/east): Division D (west): Division F (northwest): Crews will continue to hold and improve lines. With expected winds over the next few days, firefighters will focus on maintaining containment lines[iii].

Division L: (northeast) Crews continue to work the northwest portion of the fire along the dozer line. Steep rocky terrain is presenting challenges to firefighters. Operations personnel continue to evaluate safe and effective ways to complete containment lines in this area.

Division N: Work will continue today on the northeast side of the fire perimeter. Engines from the structure group will be assisting crews in both this division and Division L. Reinforcing hand and dozer lines to withstand spotting and strong winds is planned.

Air Operations: Aviation resources are available to assist fire crews as needed.

Incident Overview

Size: Estimated at 5,393 acres.

Containment: 25%

Location: Southwest corner of Converse County, just north of Albany County, 32 miles south of Glenrock, Wyoming. North and west of Cold Springs Road (Converse County Road 24), and Little Medicine Road in Albany County. Northwest of Campbell Creek Campground and Twin Peaks Trailhead. The fire has burned north over Buffalo Peak, south of Squaw Mountain and west to East Box Elder Creek.

Terrain: Very rugged.

Land ownership: Burning on the Medicine Bow National Forest, state and private lands.

Resources: 16 hand crews, 30engines, four Type I, one Type II and two Type III helicopters, bulldozers and a road grader are working in direct attack, line construction or structure protection.

Structures threatened: Homes and cabins along Cold Springs Road.

Direction: Growth on Saturday was on the north/northeast side in Division L. A new Divsion N was created east of L.

Cause: Under investigation: A fire investigator is on scene however fire activity has not made it safe or possible to get in to complete the investigation.

Reported: Mid-day Sunday, June 17.

Fuels: Primarily mixed conifer.

EVACUATIONS: Residents of houses/cabins along County Road 24, Cold Springs Road, between the Albany/Converse County line to the south and the intersection with Fetterman Road to the north were requested to voluntarily evacuate. This includes the Meadow Creek area. An evacuation center was available at the Recreation Center in Douglas, Wyoming. Sheriff's Deputies went door-to-door and called residents in the evacuation area. Call the Converse County Sheriff's Department in Glenrock (307-436-2778) or Douglas (307-358-4700) with questions.

Closures:

- Cold Springs Rd (Little Medicine Road), from the junction with Fetterman Road south to the Converse-Albany County line.

- Russell's Camp Rd, NSFR 607

- La Prele Guard Station

- Campbell Creek Campground

- Twin Peaks Trail, #618

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team B, a Type II team, Incident Commander Todd Pechota, took management responsibility for the fire Tuesday morning, working closely with local government and agency offices. County, state and federal firefighting resources from several states and agencies are cooperating.

Information updates: Can be found on Twitter at @MBRNFsTBNG, @RMIMT2 TeamB, @WyoStForestry, hashtag #RussellsCampFire.