Wyoming Briefs Nov. 29, 2023

Wyoming’s average gasoline prices fall 15.7 cents a gallon in past week

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Average gasoline prices in Wyoming have fallen 15.7 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.15 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 494 stations in Wyoming.

Prices in Wyoming are 39.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 21.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 5.2 cents in the last week, and stands at $4.23 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest price in the state on Sunday was $2.51, while the highest was $3.89, a difference of $1.38 per gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21 on Monday. The national average is down 26 cents per gallon from a month ago, and stands 30.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data.

This data was compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

This story was published on November 29, 2023.

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Two roads in Bighorn National Forest closed for season

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Two main routes in the Bighorn National Forest — the Old Highway Road 18 (Powder River Ranger District) and the Dugway Road 213 (Medicine Wheel Ranger District) — are now closed and will reopen in the spring.

“The main reason for the (annual) closures is to provide mule deer and elk winter range,” said Andrew Johnson, Bighorn National Forest supervisor.

“It is critical that we work together to reduce the stress on these animals during the winter,” he said.

Winter ranges typically have more food sources available for wildlife than areas at higher elevations because the snow tends to be deeper. During the winter, the food wildlife find is often lower in nutritional value and more difficult to digest, resulting in less available calories. Wildlife primarily live off the fat reserves they accumulated during the summer months making them very susceptible to stress such as running away from people or vehicles in the winter. Wildlife often congregate at many of the lower elevations along the face and edges of the forest throughout the winter and early spring.

Most of these locations have additional restrictions to human use, so please check the Bighorn’s Motor Vehicle Use Map at fs.usda.gov/main/bighorn/maps-pubs.

This story was published on November 28, 2023.

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WYDOT reminds drivers on snowplow safety after 3 plows hit

CHEYENNE (WNE) – The Wyoming Department of Transportation reminds motorists to use caution when driving around snowplows this winter season.

“We have already seen three snowplows hit in four days, a concerning trend as the winter season is just getting started,” said Tim Morton, maintenance engineer for District 1, which covers southeast Wyoming.

The plow strikes all took place in District 1, including on Interstate 80 near mile marker 274 Nov. 20 and near mile marker 386 Nov. 24, as well as on Interstate 25 near mile marker 23 on Nov. 24. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in any of the crashes. However, two of the crashes resulted in damaged plows.

“Plows that are damaged are in the shop, rather than out on the highway clearing ice and snow,” Morton said.

In winters spanning 2014-19, the agency averaged about eight plow hits per season. However, in recent winters, strikes have spiked. The department saw 25 plows hit last winter, 18 in winter 2021-22, a record-breaking 26 in winter 2020-21 and 23 in winter 2019-20.

Motorists are encouraged to give plows plenty of room to work. The road behind an active plow is freshly salted, sanded and plowed, which makes it safer. However, plows have to move slowly in order to be effective, which means drivers often want to pass a plow.

“Snowplows create their own snow clouds, which can make visibility challenging,” Morton said. “Always wait until visibility is clear enough that you can safely maneuver to pass around the plow, especially if the wing plow is out.”

This story was published on November 29, 2023.