Squirrel Creek Fire Forces Evacuations

Urgent Code Red Evacuation Update - The Albany County Sheriff's Office has issued an expanded Code Red Immediate Evacuation Notice:

- This is a code red immediate evacuation notice for all residents from Jelm Mountain on the south, north along Sheep Mountain and all the way to Highway 130.

- This includes the west side of Highway 230 and Sheep Mountain, up to Lake Hattie.

Windy and dry conditions pushed the Squirrel Creek Fire in multiple directions on Sunday, forcing evacuations and rapidly growing the blaze to over 7,000 acres in size. Fire activity on the Medicine Bow National Forest, Laramie Ranger District, calmed down on Monday morning, but could pick up later in the day.

The fire, in south Albany County, has burned down to Highway 230 on the south, has crossed Fox Creek Road and has established itself on Sheep Mountain on the east. Highway 230 and Fox Creek Road are both closed.

The Albany County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation notices for all residents along the Fox Creek Road and from Jelm Mountain on the south, north along Sheep Mountain and all the way to Highway 130. This includes the west side of Highway 230, the community of Woods Landing and Jelm, as well as Sheep Mountain, up to Lake Hattie. Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect for residents of Fox Park and Albany.

An evacuation center for affected landowners and residents has been established by the Red Cross at the Albany County Fairgrounds. Animals can also be accommodated at that location if necessary.

Crews worked late into the night on Sunday to protect structures and complete burnout operations in order to remove unburned fuels. Air resources also worked to slow the fire's growth over the weekend. Fire personnel assisted the Sheriff's Department in evacuating residents and the public from the Fox Creek Road area.

Firefighter and public safety is first and foremost on Monday’s objectives, as will be continued structure protection, keeping the fire north of Highway 230 and trying avoid the spread of fire southeast onto Jelm Mountain.

The fire started in the Squirrel Creek drainage approximately two miles south/southeast of Lake Owen and three to four miles west/northwest of Woods Landing, Wyo.

Incident Overview

- Size is now estimated at over 7000 acres and growing.

- The fire has burned down to Highway 230 on the south and has established itself on Sheep Mountain on the east.

- Highway 230 and Fox Creek Road are both closed.

- Fire started in the Squirrel Creek drainage on the Medicine Bow National Forest, Laramie Ranger District; approx. 2 miles south/southeast of Lake Owen and 3 -4 miles west/northwest of Woods Landing, Wyo.

- It was discovered Saturday afternoon around 1 p.m. and is actively burning in beetle-killed timber. Red Flag conditions and exceptionally dry fuels are contributing to active burning and fire growth.

- Ground crews worked into the night on Sunday to protect structures and complete burnout operations in order to remove unburned fuels. Air resources also worked to slow the fire's growth over the weekend.

- On Sunday fire personnel assisted the Sheriff's Department in evacuating residents and the public from the Fox Creek Road area.

- The Albany County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation notices for all residents along the Fox Creek Road and from Jelm Mountain on the south, north along Sheep Mountain and all the way to Highway 130. This includes the west side of Highway 230, the community of Woods Landing and Jelm, as well as Sheep Mountain, up to Lake Hattie.

- Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect for residents of Fox Park and Albany. Multiple Code Red messages have been sent to residents of these areas. The most recent said: "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."

- Currently there are several engines, a Type II Initial Attack crew, and misc. air resources assisting with the fire. Additional crews and air resources have been ordered.

- A Type 3 Incident Management Team is currently managing the fire and a National Incident Management Team will take over the fire on Tuesday morning as a Type II incident.

- Additional/periodic updates will be posted to this site as information becomes available.

- The Squirrel Creek Fire is advancing quickly. Please advise your neighbor if you have time. Please remain calm and aware.