Wheatland are fire grows, so does containment

WHEATLAND — The Britania Mountain Fire grew to 32,077 acres Sunday and the fire is 77 percent contained, according to Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black press release.

The increase in acreage was primarily due to the successful completion of the firing operations on the southwestern and western flanks of the fire. Crews used indirect firelines and existing barriers, like the Palmer Canyon Road, to secure the firing operation. The burnout operation removed fuels ahead of the fire as it advanced south.

Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters supported ground crews in holding the fire north of the Palmer Canyon Road. Engines and hand crews continued mopping up, patrolling, and monitoring the northern fireline in Division A, much of which was deemed contained late yesterday. The firelines on the eastern end of the fire in Division M are in mop up and patrol status, meaning firefighters are patrolling the firelines and are addressing any hot spots near the fire’s perimeter. 

On Monday, operations were scheduled to focus on holding and improving the established firelines. In Divisions Z and W, crews will continue mopping up in the current fire perimeter to improve containment lines. Crews will continue working to protect structures throughout the division, including those on the Palmer Canyon Road and in the Paradise subdivision. Engines and hand crews will again continue mopping up, patrolling, and monitoring the northern fireline in Divisions M and A on the east and north sides of the fire. In Division M, crews will begin repair of firelines and other suppression impacts. Aircraft will continue to support ground crews in holding the fire within the existing fire perimeter.

Mandatory evacuations are in effect for residences north of Palmer Canyon Road in Platte County west of the Laramie River to the Albany County line. Evacuations are also in place for Albany County residents from the Platte County line to Cottonwood Road. Palmer Canyon Road remains closed from Kittel Road in Platte County to Cottonwood Road in Albany County.