Crews Make Progress on Fire Burning Two Miles South of Wyoming Border

Crews fighting a fire burning two miles south of the Wyoming border have gained 90 percent containment as of today, Aug. 31.

The Johnson Creek fire began Monday in the Roosevelt National Forest. The fire grew to 14 acres yesterday before being scaled back to 13.2 acres as of today.

Big Laramie Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Parish said the BLVFD, as well as the Centennial Volunteer Fire Department and the Laramie Fire Department were the first on the scene and led the initial response to the fire on Monday. Parish said the Forest Service for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland out of Colorado arrived later that day and took over management of the fire.

In an update, the Forest Service said a helicopter, air attack, two bulldozers and two engines were ordered on Monday to battle the fire. The update said the area was heavily affected by the mountain pine beetle and had about 70 percent tree mortality. Crews conducted burnout operations and closed several roads near the fire.

Smoke is visible in the area of the fire, including from Hwy 287. The fire was determined to be human-caused.