WYOMING – As the Badger Creek Fire enters mop-up stage and transitions to a Type III team today, Forest officials have declared preliminary investigatory results indicate the fire was human caused.
Rocky Mountain Team Black was released from the fire today. The 20,357-acre blaze is about 94% contained. Most closures and evacuation orders were lifted this week as well. Highway 230 has reopened.
Containment lines were tested by Tuesday by strong outflow winds but the fire did not spread. Firefighters and engines patrolled the entire fire perimeter; taking any necessary action where they could safely cool remaining hot spots. A public meeting for the Badger Creek Fire was held on Tuesday evening with good attendance both in person and online.
Firefighters continue to patrol the fire’s perimeter and address hazards where they can do so safely and successfully. As residents continue to return to communities that were evacuated because of the Badger Creek Fire, fire managers want them to be aware there may still be hazards in the area.
Motorists are encouraged to drive slowly as firefighters continue to work in the area. Residents should be aware that smoke and flames may still be visible within the fire’s perimeter; fire-weakened and beetle-killed trees could fall without warning; and stump holes and ash pits pose a risk to those walking off of established roadways within the fire perimeter.
An emergency closure remains in place on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest – Laramie Ranger District and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest – Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The closures are in place to ensure the protection of the public and fire personnel and will remain in effect until rescinded.
Although all the evacuation orders for the Badger Creek Fire have been lifted, access to the Gramm community is still restricted due to fire operations in the area and continued public safety concerns. Homeowners from the Gramm community can contact Nick Collard, Special Uses Administrator, for specific information (307-745-2317).
The Badger Creek Fire remains under investigation. Investigators have reason to believe the fire was caused by human activity in the forest. They have located the fire’s origination point. Anyone with information on activity occurring in the area near Mountain Home Off-Highway Vehicle Trails north of Forest Road 501 and south of Forest Road 544, please call the Medicine Bow National Forest – Laramie Ranger District anonymous tip line at 307-745-2392.
