Badger Creek Fire Forces Multiple Evacuations, Estimated at 100 Acres [Photos][Videos]
UPDATE (3:40 p.m.) The fire is now estimated at 150 acres, according to InciWeb.
UPDATE (2 p.m.): According to the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Twitter, the communities of Beehive, Gramm, & Miller Lake communities are being evacuated by Albany County officials. Forest Spokesman Aaron Voos said the fire is making a run to the east. Power has been cut to the area in cooperation with Carbon Power and Light.
(UPDATE): According to the Albany County Sheriff's Facebook page, Wyoming Highway 230 is now closed at Fox Park and no traffic will be allowed past that point.
Original Story:
The U.S. Forest Service and Albany County fire personnel responded to the Badger Creek Wildfire that began Sunday afternoon in the southern Snowy Range, Medicine Bow National Forest, which forced evacuations from multiple locations due to rapid growth.
As of 9 p.m. Sunday, the fire was roughly estimated at 100 acres and there is no containment. Forest Service Spokesman Aaron Voos said updates on acreage and containment will be available Monday afternoon. On Sunday, efforts were focused on evacuation, public safety and fire assessment.
At this time the cause of the fire is unknown, but the origin of the fire is near Forest Road 501, and between Badger Creek and the North Fork of Pelton Creek. The location is two miles north of the Wyoming/Colorado state line. Multiple communities and private property in-holdings are within a five mile radius of the fire.
The communities of Mountain Home, Wold Tract, and Wycolo are under evacuation orders from Albany County officials. Pre-evacuation orders are in place for Foxborough, Foxpark and Miller Lake and Voos said those communities should be prepared to evacuate if County officials ask them to.
Voos said people who have been evacuated cannot return to their properties to retrieve belongings, as officials need to know that the area is clear.
Evacuees are being asked to check in at the Harmony School off Wyoming Highway 230. Stables for evacuated horses are being offered by Albany County Fairgrounds or Glen w-Stonehouse Stables, according to the Forest Service.
Voos said Highway 230 remains open, however visibility could be obscured at times due to smoke. A number of Forest Roads in the area are closed, including Forest Roads 530, 544,501, 512 WA and the Mountain Home Trail System. Voos said residents can get the latest information on road closures by calling the Laramie Ranger District.