Whit Fire near Cody burns two homes

CODY — A new fire was reported Tuesday afternoon in the Whit Creek area west of Cody. The fire has since grown to approximately 3,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon; the cause of the Whit Fire is currently under investigation.

The fire is being managed by the Bureau of Land Management Cody Field Office, Shoshone National Forest, Park County and the Wyoming State Forestry Division.

Shoshone Forest Public Affairs Officer Kristie Salzmann said, “I can confirm two structures yesterday were burned.” She said they were two homes, but added, “I don’t know if anyone was actively living in them at the time.”

The fire is burning primarily on private and BLM land, with a little on state land and a very small portion of forest land.

Suppression efforts are being aided by single engine air tankers, two heavy helicopters, one light helicopter, 10 engines, and three hand crews.

According to Predictive Services, a type one incident management team has been ordered.

Salzmann said there were some evacuations going on, handled by the Park County Sheriff’s Office.

Updates will be posted regularly on the BLM Wyoming Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BLMWyoming/ and on Twitter @BLMWyoming.