UPDATE: ‘Mullen Fire’ at Almost 4K Acres – More Growth Expected

UPDATE 11:20 AM Saturday, September 19

The Forest Service reports that as of Saturday morning the Mullen Fire" burning in Medicine Bow National Forest was nearly 4000 acres large. Additionally, dry and windy conditions are expected to continue through the weekend, so the fire is expected to continue to grow.

From The Forest Service:

• As of Sat. a.m., Sept. 19, acreage has grown to approximately 3,855
• This remains a rapidly changing & developing situation, with a focus on public & firefighter safety
• Please respect the area closure
• The fire has crossed the wilderness boundary on the south flank & is at the 512 Rd
• On the east side, the fire is approximately 2 miles from the 511 Rd

UPDATE 8:51 PM Friday, September 18

The "Mullen Fire" burning in Medicine Bow National Forest had grown to about 2,000 acres, and officials say it is "growing fast." The Keystone area has been added to the evacuation list. Helicopters are reported to be working the fire. All public, including campers & hunters, should leave the area.

The fire is aligning with slope/wind/fuels & moving mainly east, NE, & SE according to officials. They add that there are minimal natural fuel breaks most directions the fire is growing and it could cross the wilderness boundary in the Cottonwood Creek drainage tonight.

MORE:

• Red Flag Warning For Much of Wyoming Saturday
• Air Quality Alert For Much of Wyoming Through Sunday
•  Mullen Fire Prompts Closures in Medicine Bow National Forest

It is named the "Mullen Fire" and it is now burning in Medicine Bow National Forest, in the Savage Run Wilderness area about 50 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming. Forest Service staff, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Albany/Carbon Counties are evacuating people from the fire area, according to officials.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne says that there is, "[h]igh probability for fire growth in this area today and Saturday with Red Flag Warning today and Fire Weather Watch for Saturday. Campers and other outdoor enthusiasts should leave the area as this is rugged terrain with plenty of available fuels to burn."

The fire grew overnight (Thursday into Friday, September 18) and as of Friday afternoon stood at 644 acres in size. and growing.

Officials are advising that all people, including campers and hunters, should leave the area. The Rambler and Rob Roy camping areas have been evacuated. Federal fire monitoring agencies say that "[g]round crews are focusing on point protection at the A Bar A Ranch to the west and assessment of Rambler private property to the east." The possibility of weather favorable to fire growth is high this weekend.

The fire was first reported Thursday. The cause of the fire is unknown.