Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — A fire in southern Sweetwater County has intensified.
The Laney Rim Fire, located about 25 miles south of Rock Springs, grew from about 8,000 acres Tuesday evening to around 12,465 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
“We’re estimating around 47 percent containment,” BLM Public Affairs Specialist Brad Purdy told the Rocket-Miner on Wednesday evening. “No residential structures were impacted and no injuries reported.
“All of that is the result of the great work being done by the Southwestern Wyoming Type 3 (Incident Management) Team managing this fire and, of course, all of the units that are assigned here.”
There are 137 wildland firefighters working to suppress fire with most resources focused on the eastern edge where engines and other equipment can access the area. Sections of the fire are burning in steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain, and aviation resources are being used in the areas as needed, the release states.
Fire crews are focusing on keeping the fire east of Sweetwater County Road 27, south of County Road 32, west of Wyoming Highway 430 and north of Potter Mountain to minimize impacts to priority sage grouse habitat, oil and gas infrastructure, grazing allotments, and cultural resources.
The fire is burning on BLM, state and private lands. No evacuation orders or road closures are in place, according to the BLM.
The Laney Rim Fire was detected on Saturday following a series of storms that passed through the area Friday evening. The storm also caused the Black Butte Fire, which is contained, and the Big Ridge Fire, which is currently under control.
The combined weather conditions and fire activity meant that minimal resources were available for the initial response to the Laney Rim Fire.