Wildland Fire Northeast Of Worland Is 30 Percent Contained
The lightning-started Terek fire is 30 percent contained as of mid-Tuesday, according to an update from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
However, authorities have closed Wyoming Highway 31 between Manderson and Hyattville. The road is open only to residents in the area and has been closed to all through traffic at this time. The closure is to ensure the protection of the public and fire personnel.
The latest estimated size of the burned-over area in mostly sage brush and grass is about 36,000 acres, or 56.3 square miles, according to the news release from BLM spokeswoman Cindy Wertz.
Federal, state, and county firefighters are building the fire perimeter and limiting the potential fire threat to individuals and private property. Ground crews are in place to protect threatened structures. No structures have been reported lost. Likewise, no injuries have been reported so far.
More than 120 personnel, four single-engine air tankers, two heavy-air tankers, one type 1 helicopter, one type 3 helicopter, and two air-attack platforms are working the fire along with numerous ground resources.
High temperatures with gusty wind conditions are expected for Tuesday.
The BLM also cautions people to not fly drones in the area because they will interfere with aerial firefighting operations. "Remember, if you fly, we can’t."
The Terek fire, which is mostly on BLM land, was reported to the Cody Dispach Center at 11:02 p.m. Sunday. It is northeast of Worland, north of U.S. Highway 16 and south of Wyoming Highway 31.
It started as three smaller lightning-caused fires which burned together.