Pre-evacuation notice lifted as Bear Creek Fire hits 80% containment
A separate pre-evacuation notice inspired by a separate fire remains in place for residents living north of the stateline up through Tie Siding.
As fire crews north of Laramie tamp down on the Bear Creek Fire currently burning in the Sybille Canyon, ground crews south of the stateline battle their own blaze amid high winds.
Get-ready-to-leave notices were issued for Albany County residents living near both fires. The notice related to the Bear Creek Fire has been lifted, meaning residents no longer need to be prepared to flee.
“The Bear Creek Fire is currently at 80% containment and the footprint remains at 1,444 acres,” notes the latest update from Albany County Emergency Management. “Approximately 50 personnel remain on scene. Please avoid the area and allow fire personnel [to] continue to work.”
According to the most recent updates, the Pearl Fire burning in Colorado is still about 10 miles south of the Wyoming border. But a pre-evacuation notice for areas north of the stateline up through Tie Siding remains in place.
A combination of ground crews and air resources have kept the fire from expanding since the blaze was first reported Monday.
“Yesterday’s weather tested the fire perimeter with gusty winds, but there was no growth in fire size,” states an update from the U.S. Forest Service. “Pearl Fire remains estimated at 128 acres with 5% containment.”
Bear Creek Fire: 1,144 acres, 80% contained
A fire at Bear Creek, near Highway 34 between Laramie and Wheatland, was first reported Thursday and immediately inspired a local pre-evacuation notice.
Initially estimated as a much larger fire — at an alleged 2,500 acres — aerial imaging allowed officials to revise their estimate down to a little more than 1,400 by Friday evening.
Crews representing multiple agencies from Albany County and beyond battled the fire throughout the weekend, giving up only a few acres on Saturday.
According to official reports, the Bear Creek Fire has gained no ground since then, remaining at 1,444 acres since reaching that number Saturday night.
As the acreage has gone unchanged, crews have been containing more and more of the fire.
“Part of the process of increasing the containment percentage and gauging the acreage, is by having crews walk the entire perimeter of the fire area to ensure that no embers are evident and that the areas are cold,” reads a Monday evening update. We use various techniques to accomplish this and due to the topography of certain areas, this can take several days. As the crews encircle the fire area, the containment percentages can then be increased.”
By Tuesday evening, the time of the most recent update, crews had achieved 80% containment and officials were able to lift the pre-evacuation notice.
Pearl Fire: 128 acres, 5% contained
The Pearl Fire has not touched Wyoming but its presence less than 10 miles from Wyoming’s border with Colorado has already affected Albany County residents.
Albany County Emergency Management issued a pre-evacuation notice for residents living near the stateline Monday afternoon, mirroring the mandatory evacuations ordered in Larimer County that same day.
Albany County’s pre-evacuation notice remains in place.
“While the fire is currently 9.75 miles from the Wyoming/Colorado border, the Pre-Evacuation Notice will remain in place due to the incoming weather and high wind warnings expected to be at 40 to 60 mph over the next couple of days,” states a Tuesday evening update from Emergency Management. “If you are in the pre-evacuation area, please take this time to make a plan to evacuate household members, essential belongings, pets and livestock in the event that an Evacuation Order is put in place.”
As Wyoming residents prepare, crews in Colorado wrestle the Pearl Fire.
“Air resources continued to work the fire throughout [Tuesday], until conditions became unsafe due to high winds,” states an update from the U.S. Forest Service. “Roughly 260 ground personnel and multiple air resources are on scene today. Ground crews will focus efforts on structure protection along the eastern perimeter and use heavy equipment to secure the fire line.”
But significant challenges lie ahead.
“Crews will face steep terrain and downed trees as they work to contain the fire,” according to the Forest Service. “Lower humidity levels, high winds and warmer temperatures are expected throughout the day. In the afternoon, winds could gust up to 35 mph.”
Those winds can prohibit the use of aerial resources. As another update from the Forest Service states:
“Though multiple aircraft are available, they are currently unable to fly due to unsafe conditions and high winds.”