WYOMING – Firefighters began mop-up yesterday on the Britania Mountain Fire as the 32,089-acre blaze near Wheatland is now considered 95% contained. The lightning-caused fire was discovered August 26 burning approximately six miles west of Wheatland, Wyo.
Britania is the state’s largest wildfire to date this season. It has burned over two counties—Albany and Platte—including 1,916 acres of state-owned land, 701 acres on the BLM, 2,082 of Forest Service land, and 13,674 acres in Albany Co., 13,716 acres in Platte Co.
The fire is now under the command of Dick Terry who says he will have it declared officially out perhaps as early as tomorrow. Some 167 personnel are still assigned to the incident.
Recent progress
On Thursday, containment gains were made in Division Z on the southwest corner of the fire. Crews working along Palmer Canyon Road began chipping green vegetation that was cut to construct control lines. Chipping operations started on the east end of the road in Platte County and have progressed west into Albany County.
Firefighters mopped up and extinguished hot spots on Division W adding more depth to control lines. On cold sections of the fire, crews removed hose, portable water tanks, and other firefighting equipment to be returned to supply caches for refurbishing. Divisions A and M were put into patrol status and monitored by engine crews.
Today, mop up efforts will be focused on the western side of the fire in Division W. Chipping operations will extend west along Palmer Canyon Road. While chipping operations are occurring the road will remain closed for firefighter and public safety.
Area residents can expect to see smoke from the fire as interior pockets of vegetation burnout. This activity poses no threat to containment lines and is expected to continue until significant precipitation occurs over the fire area.
As containment objectives are achieved excess firefighting personnel are being reassigned to other incidents or returning to their home units. This trend will continue in order to right-size the organization with the values at risk.
