Roosevelt fire claims 22 homes
Wednesday update: After Tuesday night’s meeting it was confirmed 22 homes have been lost. Highway 189/191 remains closed Wednesday morning for burnout operations.
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Additional burnout operations were planned Tuesday as firefighters attempt to contain the 49,805 acre Roosevelt Fire in western Wyoming. Highway 189/191 will be closed at noon during the burnouts and could last for an undetermined amount of time. Vehicles are being led through the area, in the meantime, by pilot vehicles.
So far, crews have confirmed the fire has destroyed three structures. An undetermined number of structures have been lost in Hoback Ranches, and active fire is continuing in the subdivision. Sublette County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department will conduct an initial damage assessment today. Property owners will be notified of the status of their property by the Sheriff’s Office as soon as information is available. Evacuations remain in effect and no new orders have been issued.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bondurant Elementary School. Another is scheduled in Daniel at 6 p.m. Wednesday. A place has not been determined.
Fire activity in the Upper Hoback and Rolling Thunder areas remains low to moderate, with no additional structures lost. The fire is not expected to reach the Jim Bridger Estates area. Burnout operations are planned in the Rolling Thunder area to secure fire lines.
Fire managers hope to take advantage of decreased extreme weather to make progress on containment. A Red Flag warning is not posted today, but is expected again on Wednesday and the rest of the week.
Power has been turned off in the Hoback Ranches area as a safety precaution. It will be restored after firefighting activities moderate.
Cell phone communications have also been affected. Fire damaged facilities on Kismet Point. Utility crews hope to get into the area as soon as possible to work on restoring service.
The fire is now about 25 percent contained. There are over 813 personnel assigned to the fire. There are 21 crews assigned, 5 Type 1 Helicopters, 2 Type 2 Helicopters, 3 Type 3 helicopters, 47 engines, 6 dozers, and 12 water tenders.
