GILLETTE – According to a recent social media update from the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management on August 28, there are a total of 290,842 acres on fire in a combination of four area wildfires burning throughout the state of Wyoming and into Montana. Of course, according to fire monitoring websites, those four fires, Flat Rock, Remington, Constitution and House Draw Fires, are not the only portions of Wyoming on fire, however much of the area communities of the four larger fires have been pulling together in an effort to save homes, livestock and valuable grazing lands. 

In an operations update, Brandon Glenn, Operation Section Chief for the Southwest Incident Management Team, Glenn provided an in-depth update on the four fires.

Glenn explained there had been a lot of fire patrolling and securing taking place in the House Draw Fire and Glenn indicated fire suppression crews were working diligently on the fire line. Glenn also noted crews were getting things ready for suppression repair by identifying fence cuts and dozer and grader lines which need repair. The House Draw Fire is estimated at 174,683 acres. The initial location was 17.5 miles south southeast of Buffalo, in Johnson County. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was 94% contained. 

“They did get some of their materials in yesterday (Tuesday) so just going to start getting the suppression repair going on out there. See this little hazard right here?” Glenn indicated a spot on the fire map of the House Draw Fire. “That was a pile of man-made materials. A lot of plastics and stuff like that are fairly close to the line that the folks found yesterday. So, we will be working on ensuring that that’s out. Staying away from those fumes but it is fairly close to the line.”

Next, Glenn gave an update on the Flat Rock Fires stating there had been a lot of crew work done up on the northern part of the fire on Tuesday. The Flat Rock Fire is in both fire division r or Romeo and division t or Tango. The Flat Rock Fire is estimated at 52,421 acres with 54% containment, according to fire reports. 

“They were using the UAS (unmanned aircraft system) to identify heat sources getting in there and putting those out in this Romeo side and then the same thing in here on the horseshoe. [We] had a UAS there yesterday (Tuesday) as well helping out to those heat sources so we can get our crews in there to put those out. We did actually pick up an initial attack just north of Achita Road over here in division Tango yesterday there is about ¾ to an acre. The folks did put that out. They’ll be going and checking that today, making sure that stays in place and they will be working that UAS in this area again today,” Glenn said as he pointed to the map.

Glenn also explained where the bulk of the work had been done during the last few days on the Constitution Fire. The Constitution Fire is being fueled by grass and timber. According to fire reports, the initial location of the fire was 18.7 miles north of Gillette and the fire as consumed 24,594 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was 57% contained. Glenn reported there was a flare-up reported Tuesday, so area crews are continuing to patrol the fire line. 

As for the Remington Fire, Glenn reported fire crews have “touched every piece of ground” while performing mop-up duties and some areas were beginning to show improvement. The Remington Fire was reported to have initially started 44.8 miles east of Acme, Wyoming in Sheridan County. It is fueled by grass, sage and timber.

“The plan for today (Wednesday) is to continue that effort and then the suppression repair stuff mapped so that we can start going forward with those repair plans. We don’t have any IA responsibility on any of the fires, but we are helping out where we can with those initial attacks,” Glenn explained. 

According to Northern Ag Net, Stockman Bank has set up an account for relief funds.

“Stockman Bank has set up a fire relief fund with a $10,000 matching grant to assist those affected by the massive Remington fire, which started in Wyoming last week and has now crossed the state line into southeastern Montana. The Remington Fire Relief Fund will be used to provide needed assistance to those impacted by the fire in Rosebud, Powder River and Big Horn counties. Donations to this account will be administered and distributed by Rosebud County Cattle Women in conjunction with the Rosebud County Foundation,” ag net explained. “To donate to the fire relief fund, please stop by any Stockman Bank location or mail to Stockman Bank, c/o The Remington Fire Relief Fund, PO Box 250, Miles City, MT, 59301-0250. Stockman will match all contributions made to the fund up to a total of $10,000 through December 31, 2024. Please join us in helping our neighbors in southeastern Montana.”