Lightning storm starts multiple fires

WORLAND — Lightning strikes caused several fire in Washakie and Big Horn counties.

The largest fire started late Thursday afternoon and burned 2,000 acres between Paintrock Creek and the Lower Nowood, according to the Big Horn County Fire Warden Brent Godfrey.

Godfrey said the fire burned 70 percent in Bureau of Land Management land, 15 percent in private and 15 percent in state land.

He said the Weintz fire was contained Thursday night and fire crews were patrolling the fire area Friday to make sure there were no hot spots.

Godfrey said it is uncertain exactly where the fire started but it is believed to have started from a lightning strike. He said the fire burned mostly sagebrush and grasses.

Basin, Hyattville and Manderson fire departments responded, along with Ten Sleep and Worland departments assisting. Godfrey said the BLM and Bighorn National Forest Service crews also responded. One private landowner helped gain access to the fire with a front end loader.

No structures were damaged but had the fire continued the direction it was heading, Godfrey said there were structures in its path.

Godfrey said, “We had a very small lightning storm that set off quite a few fires.”

Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher said the Worland department, in addition to assisting in Big Horn County, responded to three other fires.

•Devils Slide Fire burned 42 acres, 19 miles southwest of Worland. Kocher said Friday morning that there mapping the fire and checking for any hot spots in anticipation of strong winds and thunderstorms that were forecast for Friday afternoon.

•WT Stockdrive Fire burned juniper trees in a tenth of an acre, three miles south and west of Ten Sleep.

•Old Highway Fire at mile marker 19 five miles west of Ten Sleep, burned 9.9 acres of grass and sagebrush on BLM land, Kocher said.

Kocher said he heard there was another small fire on the Upper Nowood that Ten Sleep Fire contained Thursday night.

“Last night was a prime example that people need to realize the grasses and fuels are ready to burn,” Kocher said. He added that while some grasses are still green they “had no problem burning last night.”

He advised residents and visitors to be careful as they travel. “Be careful with exhaust and actions when you’re out enjoying our land,” he said.

Kocher also asked people that if they do see fire or smoke to call quickly because it allows fire crews to get resources on the fire early.

WEATHER

According to the National Weather Service, significant rainfall is expected this weekend for the Big Horn Basin.

According to a special weather statement from the NWS, “The threat of widespread significant rainfall increases Sunday and continues through at least Tuesday and possibly into the middle of next week. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected in the high country, especially in the Sunday through Tuesday time period. Local amounts could reach 3 inches. The highest amounts are expected in the northern Wind River Mountains northward through the Absaroka Range. The lower elevations will vary from two-thirds of an inch to an one inch and a half.

“Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared for the increasing risk of heavy rain late in the weekend through early next week. The higher peaks of the Wind River and Southern Absaroka mountains above 11,000 feet will see some heavy wet snow.”