GOSHEN COUNTY – In the latest update for Wednesday, July 31, Thom Bozeman, Goshen County Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Warden, stated fire crews were still actively fighting fires on the Goshen/Platte County line. 

“The current acreage approximation is 28,000 acres lost so far. Through hard work, no structures have been lost,” Bozeman said in his release. “Currently we have plenty of supplies to support our firefighters through the rest of this fire. Thank you to everyone for your generosity and caring, we really appreciate your support.”

On Sunday, fire crews from Goshen County and Platte County battled a fire, which was named the Haystack Mountain Fire. According to Bozeman, the initial fire was started by dry lightning. Area crews as well as single-engine airtankers assisted in fire suppression and surveillance overnight Sunday and into Monday morning. According to multiple media outlets, Yoder Volunteer Fire Department and other equipment operators cut contingency lines on the Haystack area fire.

“Goshen, Platte County and BLM Fire Departments are on scene of the Haystack Mountain Fire on the Platte/Goshen County line northwest of Ft. Laramie. Currently, the fire is contained to the mountain on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Crews are working on cutting containment lines with bulldozers and air assets are dousing the fire with slurry and water,” Bozeman explained in a Facebook post on Sunday. 

On Monday, Bozeman reported BLM assumed command of the fire. 

“All County resources, both Platte and Goshen Counties, have been released from the fire. BLM engines, hand crews and state air assets have been working all day to achieve containment. At this point, the fire is 75% contained,” Bozeman said Monday afternoon. 

On Tuesday morning, Bozeman announced the Haystack fire was 100% contained.

“The Haystacks fire is 100% contained. BLM units are demobilizing, and the area will be monitored by local departments,” Bozeman explained Tuesday.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne issued a red flag warning for much of Wyoming for Tuesday, July 30. Wind gusts were forecasted at 30 to 40 mph from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.  Pager tones sounded for local departments once again on Tuesday afternoon as a report of fire once again in the region of the Haystack Fire. 

“The Haystacks Fire reignited this afternoon. Multiple resources are inbound. Simultaneously, Platte County got a call of a very large grass fire on Pleasant Valley. Both pics below were taken from the same spot,” Bozeman explained on Tuesday.

“Platte County’s fire has merged with the Haystacks Fire, and both are still running hard. Goshen, Platte, State Forestry and BLM have multiple units on scene and will be here for some time. We’ve had Single Engine Air Tankers, Helicopters and Heavy Air Tankers (C-130) aircraft dropping water and retardant all day. Platte County evacuated Hartville as it was under direct threat of being run over by the fire. All Goshen County departments are on scene and are working diligently to stop the head of the fire north of Ft Laramie,” Bozeman said.

Area crews continued to battle the fire well into Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

“Overnight the fire raged on burning both northeast of the Haystacks and south crossing highway 26. As a result, highway 26 has been shut down from Lingle to I-25 until further notice. Check Wyoming 511 for more information. Units from Platte and Goshen County along with BLM, state forestry, Lusk and Gering Nebraska Fire Departments have been conducting structure protection on homes, the oil tanks in Guernsey and highway 26 all night,” Bozeman explained in his overnight report of the fires. “State forestry and BLM are bringing in additional resources this morning to continue the fight in the daylight. At this time, we are asking people to avoid this area until we know what tomorrow’s winds and dry weather bring.”

During the Wednesday morning update, Bozeman reported no structures had been lost due to the fire. 

“8:40 a.m. update - the wind died down for several hours last night allowing for units to get some areas put out however, the morning wind has started blowouts at several locations along highway 26. North of Ft Laramie, the fire never slowed down however Goshen County Road and Bridge, Yoder Bulldozer, several local citizens on tractors with disc scratches several miles of fire line at the head of the fire. This allowed fire units to move into structure defenses and save homes up north,” Bozeman said. “So far, no structures have been lost on the Platte or Goshen County sides. In addition to Goshen and Platte County Fire Depts, BLM, State Forestry, Lusk, Hemingford Nebraska, Albany County and Laramie County departments have arrived to assist with today’s operations.”

As of late Wednesday evening, Wyoming State Highway 26 is open from Guernsey to Ft. Laramie. 

“Wyoming had multiple large wildfires yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) that went all night. The Pleasant Valley fire threatened the communities of Hartville and Pleasant Valley, forcing evacuations of both communities. The winds shifted and drove the Pleasant Valley fire into the Haystack fire, located in Goshen County, and spread all the way to highway 26, impacting the railroad. Firefighters from numerous counties and fire districts, along with State Forestry and BLM assisted with fire suppression. Firefighters are asking folks to please stay clear of the fire as there is still a substantial amount of suppression work to be done,” the Wyoming State Forestry Division said. 

News of the rapidly growing fire spread through the community quickly and supplies were gathered in many towns and cities near Torrington and Wheatland on Wednesday.

Late Wednesday night, Bozeman thanked the community for the outpouring of support.

“Fire crews are still fighting active fires on the north side of this fire.  Currently, the most active areas are the haystacks mountains and the area north of Ft Laramie,” Bozeman explained. “The current acreage approximation is 28,000 acres lost so far. Through hard work, no structures have been lost. The fire has not jumped the river. The south has hot spots flaring up but those are happening in the burned areas of unburned fuels. The only spread is in the northeast.”

There was a report of a residence being destroyed in the Pleasant Valley Fire, which has not been confirmed.

According to Platte County Emergency Management and the Platte County Fire Warden, evacuations have been lifted for Whalen Canyon, Pleasant Valley and the town of Hartville just shortly before 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 1. The Torrington Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary collected supplies for the local fire departments. Stay tuned next week for a feature story of the women behind our amazing firefighters.