WHEATLAND — The Britania Mountain Fire was 32,089 acres and the fire was 77 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, according to a news release issued by Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black.
About 502 personnel are fighting the fire, which was caused by lightning Aug. 25. The fire is about 6 miles west of Wheatland.
A temporary flight restriction for the Britania Mountain Fire remains in effect around the entire fire area, including restrictions on unmanned aircraft systems (drones).
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for residences north of Palmer Canyon Road in Platte County west of the Laramie River to the Albany County line. Evacuations are also in place for Albany County residents from the Platte County line to Cottonwood Road. Palmer Canyon Road remains closed in the fire area in both Platte County and Albany County.
Wheatland Rural Electric Association has recharged its power distribution line serving the area. Power to residences outside the fire perimeter has been restored. Residences within the fire perimeter remain without power as the power company continues to inspect lines. Residents who have questions about power service should direct those questions to Wheatland REA at 307-322-2125.
Due to the cloud cover and increased humidity, the fire was not very active Monday. Crews focused on holding and improving the established firelines. In Divisions Z and W, crews continued mopping up the current fire perimeter to improve containment lines. Crews continued structure protection work around structures along Palmer Canyon Road. Engines and hand crews mopped up, patrolled, and monitored the fireline in Divisions M and A on the east and north sides of the fire. In Division M, crews repaired firelines and other suppression impacts.
A cold front moved over the fire area Tuesday morning, causing higher winds over the fire area. With the cooler temperatures, relative humidity was higher Tuesday than previous days.
On Tuesday, Divisions W and Z planned to continue improving firelines on the west and southwest flanks of the fire by mopping up hot spots near the fire’s established perimeter. Crews continued mopping up and protecting structures in Palmer Canyon and Paradise subdivision. Engines assigned to Divisions A and M on the north and east flanks of the fire were to patrol firelines and mop up to the degree necessary to keep the fire within the established perimeter. Crews continued repairing suppression activities in Division M. Rocky Mountain Team Black prepared to transfer command to a Type 3 organization on Wednesday.
To sign up for emergency alerts, residents of Platte County can visit https://bit.ly/2Lyewed; Albany County residents can visit https://bit.ly/2wx8wwO to sign up. Evacuees and property owners affected by the fire in Platte County should email emergmgmt@plattecountywyoming.com with contact information including name, address, email and phone number. Evacuees and property owners affected by the fire in Albany County should email ema@co.albany.wy.us with the same information. This contact information will be used by the respective emergency management agency to provide recovery information to homeowners.
Fire restrictions are in effect in Platte County. Details on those restrictions can be found at https://bit.ly/2wu4Psl or call 307-331-8521. There are no fire restrictions in effect for Albany County.
