GUERNSEY – On Saturday, August 3, a public informational meeting was held for the Pleasant Valley Fire community. The meeting was held at 4:30 p.m. at the Guernsey-Sunrise High School for anyone affected by the Platte County fire which started on July 30. 

Pleasant Valley Fire Public Information Officer, Tyson Finnicum opened the meeting which around 220 community members attended by thanking the community for their attendance. Finnicum also thanked the school district for the use of the building for the meeting. 

Thom Bozeman, Goshen County Emergency Management/Fire Warden and Tony Krotz, Platte County Emergency Management Coordinator spoke to the community regarding the latest fire update.

“Good afternoon. Good evening, I am not sure what it is anymore,” Krotz said. “I am Tony Krotz. I am the Platte County Emergency Manager, and this is Thom Bozeman. He is Goshen County Emergency Manager and Fire Warden and the reason we are both of us here today is frightening. If it wasn’t for him (Bozeman), well, I’m not going to say anything about that. We work really well with Goshen County here in Platte County. I think it would only be fair to start out this entire thing by saying ‘Thank you’ to everybody working that [fire] line out there,” Krotz said. 

The audience, mainly local residents, applauded in appreciation of the multiple firefighters who have and who continue to fight the estimated 26,000-acre blaze which is now located one mile north of Guernsey. 

“They have done things since Tuesday (July 30) that literally could not be possible,” Krotz said. “They have saved so many structures, so many homes. That should not have been possible to do. Those men and women out there have bled, sweat and exhausted themselves beyond what most people can comprehend. But they are doing it because they love their communities. That being said, I want to say thank you, because this community today shows they love their firemen.”

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity. Platte County, Guernsey. I mean Guernsey, who knew you guys were so awesome? Our county as a whole, always comes together. No matter what goes on the rest of the time when something is needed our county jumps in and helps and that makes me very proud,” Krotz said.

Bozeman took the microphone and explained he had been appointed as Goshen County Fire Warden seven months ago and since then, he has managed many large fires.

“This entire situation, this entire incident has been a very big learning experience for me,” Bozeman said. “What really helped, I think along the process, was the fact that we work so well with Platte County.” 

Bozeman commented on the support Goshen County had received when the Pleasant Valley Fire had merged with the Haystack Fire. 

“He (Krotz) was talking about how Guernsey stepped up for people, we had the same situation on our side,” Bozeman said. “The Fort Laramie Community Center got to the point where we were busting at the seams just with donations. People were dropping off trailers, trucks and cars. Dropping off so much stuff we had to ask people to stop. It just got to be overwhelming just on that aspect of it. But our firemen are out there.” 

“When this fire started, it started like from zero to 100, as everybody always hears,” Bozeman said. “I was there, actually in Guernsey, picking up some stuff for the fire station when the call came in.”

Bozeman explained within 15 minutes, black smoke plumes reached several hundred feet in the air.

“The fire was running so fast, they had us (Goshen County fire departments) evacuate the mountain that we were fighting there with the Haystacks, to get out of there because it was going to cut off our only safe to get away from the mountain. When it jumped the hill, by the time we got off the Haystacks, halfway back to [US Highway] 26, it was almost to the road we were using. It was an extremely fast-moving fire,” Bozeman said. 

“It was pretty intense out there,” Bozeman said. “I think from Goshen County, I just want to say thanks to all of the firefighters assisting to help us out.”

During the meeting, Krotz announced evacuated residents could return home. 

Krotz also extended gratitude to the Wyoming Red Cross and the Wyoming National Guard. 

Krotz explained the difficult fire conditions including wind, hot temperatures and rugged terrain were a concern. 

In a Sunday, August 4 update, Finnicum expressed the cause of the Pleasant Valley Fire was under investigation. 

“The fire is approximately 26,000 acres and is at 40% containment. An infrared flight has been requested. More accurate acreage of the fire will be obtained once that occurs. The Wyoming Type 3 Team consists of interagency personnel from local, state and federal agencies,” Finnicum released in the update. “The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy, ensuring all actions reflect a commitment to incident personnel’s safety.”

According to Finnicum, fire crews held the footprint of the fire and continued mop-up activities on Saturday.

“Conditions are forecasted to be hot and dry, with temperatures in the high 90s to 100 degrees. This will continue to create an increase fire behavior and fire spread potential. Isolated thunderstorms may be possible in the evening, which could bring erratic winds. Sunday night into Monday, a wind shift is anticipated with the passage of a weak cold front. Southwesterly winds are expected to shift west and north by Monday, bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity,” the update reads. 

On Monday, August 5, Finnicum’s fire update stated the Pleasant Valley Fire was 65% contained.

“The fire is approximately 28,984 acres and is at 65% containment. An infrared flight occurred yesterday (Sunday) giving fire managers a better estimate of the size of the fire. The Wyoming Type 3 Team consists of interagency personnel from local, state and federal agencies,” the update explained.

Finnicum also explained the fire is still continuing to be managed under a full suppression strategy, ensuring personnel’s safety. 

According to a release on Tuesday, August 6, the containment of the Peasant Valley Fire has been increased. 

“The fire is approximately 28,984 acres and is at 90% containment. An infrared flight occurred Sunday, giving fire managers a better estimate of the size of the fire,” Finnicum said.

As of Tuesday, there were 110 personnel, including: three hand crews, nine engines, two water tender, one dozers /road graders, two type 1 helicopter and one ambulance, according to the release.