FINAL UPDATE   The Neiber Fire remains at 95% containment this morning, but is anticipated to reach 100% by end of shift this evening. A small contingent of local resources will work to finalize mop up, continue suppression repair projects, and haul remaining equipment off the line.  

Although threats from active fire on the Neiber Fire have passed, recreation in the affected area can still poses risks. Loss of vegetation loosens soils and increases the risk of flash floods in rough terrain after rainfall. Ash settles and disguises natural ruts or holes in tracks, trails, and rangeland.  

Fire danger in the area remains high and residents are encouraged to use caution. Fire restrictions remain in effect for BLM-managed lands in Washakie, Hot Springs, Big Horn, Park, Fremont, and Natrona counties. More fire restriction information at: 
https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/wyoming/fire 

Command of the Neiber Fire will be transferred to a local Type 4 Incident Commander on Tuesday, July 21,2020 at 8:00 am. Fire personnel will work with Resource Advisors and fulfill remaining Suppression Repair Plan objectives this week.  

Please contact Laura Lozier, BLM District acting Public Affairs Specialist at 307-212-1946 with any public information or media requests beginning Tuesday morning. Remaining fire personnel and the Wyoming Incident Management Team will demobilize  Tuesday.  

Incident Commander Dave Wilkins and the Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team would like to express gratitude to the City of Worland, our community partners, and Worland residents for supporting the interagency fire personnel during the Neiber Fire. 

With minimal fire activity seen on the Fawn Creek and Wolf fires yesterday, crews were able to remove remaining areas of heat near the perimeters while increasing levels of containment on the Fawn and Wolf fires yesterday. With the Stewart Fire 100% contained and in patrol status, crews were able to focus their energy on areas of higher heat on the other two fires.

Today crews on both the Fawn Creek Fire and the Wolf Fire will continue patrol the fires, mopping up any areas of remaining heat near the edge of those fires.

Weather over the fires is forecasted to be warm and breezy with less potential for afternoon thunderstorms than the last several days. High temperatures are expected to be around 90 with relative humidity dropping to the low-teens in the afternoon. Winds are anticipated to be out of the northwest with gusts to 25 mph on the ridgetops.

With increased containment and decreased levels of complexity, management of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires will be turned back to the local agencies at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 20.

“As we wrap up our time on the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires, we want to express our sincere thanks to the community of Meeker and county of Rio Blanco for your hospitality and patience as we worked to manage this incident,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and Rio Blanco County have both implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on any of the Incident Information sites below.

Crews reached 100% containment on the Stewart Fire yesterday afternoon, and the fire has been moved into patrol status. There may still be visible smoke from the interior of this 212 acre fire until wetting rain moves into the area.

The Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received no rain yesterday. Crews and resources remain prepared to assist with initial attack on new fire starts in the area.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will continue to improve and strengthen hand line along the southeast edge and the northwest corner, mopping up as they move around the fire perimeter.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will continue to improve and secure hand line while mopping up and removing heat from areas near the edge of the fire.

“We know that even though these fires are holding less heat and we are moving toward containment, all personnel assigned to these fires must remain vigilant and ensure that we stay aware of the dangers around us,” said Craig Haslam, Safety Officer with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Forecasted weather will be similar to the past few days with high temperatures around 90 and relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens as the day progresses. Thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area around 11 a.m. Once again outflow winds, which may gust to 40 mph, and lightning will likely be associated with these thunderstorms. Westerly ridgetop winds will be predominant over the fires until 1p.m. when the winds will shift to the northwest, gusting to 25 mph.

Summary                                   

The area over the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received minimal moisture from storms yesterday. For the second day in a row, aerial assets assisted with initial attack on a new fire yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are once again ready to assist if any new fire starts come from the thunderstorms forecast for the area today.

The Stewart Fire will be patrolled by engines and mop up will be performed on any areas holding heat.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will work along the southeast edge and the northwest corner to secure areas of heat and complete hand line along the edge of the fire. Crews will also focus on securing the fire in the Eureka Creek area.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will construct, improve, and secure hand line around the fire while also mopping up spots holding heat near hand lines.

Weather over the fire area will be similar to yesterday with thunderstorms forecast to move through in the afternoon. Incident Meteorologist Christopher Redmond said, “We are expecting another day of erratic outflow winds and lightning associated with strong thunderstorms developing around the area beginning at noon. Today will test the containment lines around the fires.”

Outflow winds associated with these thunderstorms may gust to 40mph and lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be similar to once again be in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. Prior to thunderstorms in the afternoon, ridgetop winds will likely be stronger than that past few days with westerly gusts up to 25mph.

Summary                                    7/16/2020, 9:00 am

Aerial resources supporting the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires assisted with the initial attack of a new fire west of Meeker yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are prepared to assist with additional new fire starts that may come from passing thunderstorms in the area today.

To slow the progression of the Wolf Fire, a heavy air tanker was used to drop retardant on the north side of the fire yesterday afternoon. Today, crews will continue to construct hand line around the Wolf Fire while also strengthening those constructed yesterday. Crews will mop up spots holding heat near hand lines.  

On the Stewart Fire, crews will continue to maintain and improve hand lines around the fire. Some resources may be shifted to the other two fires when the Stewart Fire begins being patrolled by engines.

The Fawn Creek Fire was active yesterday afternoon as firefighters worked with aircraft to drop water to contain a spot fire on the northwest corner of the fire. Helicopters were also used to take heat out of the southeast corner of the Fawn Creek Fire; this will allow crews to continue to construct and improve hand line in that area of the fire today.

Air operations may be limited at times throughout the day today due to thunderstorms moving through the fire area. Outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms are anticipated over the fires and may gust to 40mph. Lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms today. Temperatures are expected to be similar to the past several days with highs in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. The fires are anticipated to be active throughout the day as thunderstorms move into the area.

The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and Rio Blanco County have both implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on any of the Incident Information sites below. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Fire Information:

www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriff

To download the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App, scan the QR code below or search your app store for “Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App”

Fawn Creek Fire:

Size: Approximately 2,459 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Stewart Fire:

Size: Approximately103 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Wolf Fire: 

Size: Approximately 300 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/14/2020

Summary:

There are three active fires located southwest of Meeker, Colo. in the Piceance Creek area south of Colorado Highway 64. The Fawn Creek and Stewart fires began Monday afternoon while the Wolf Fire was reported Tuesday morning.

The Wolf Fire was active throughout the afternoon and evening on Tuesday and grew to over 250 acres. Today, crews will scout areas for the placement of line around the fire

Crews worked to put in hand line on the south side of the Stewart Fire yesterday. On Monday night, crews burned off vegetation between the fire and the roads on the west and east sides of the Stewart Fire. Today, crews will work to put in hand line around the fire where needed.

The Fawn Creek Fire, has grown to over 2,400 acres. Crews will focus on the north side of the fire today, putting hand line in where appropriate.

The weather over all three fires will be mostly sunny with high temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees. The forecast calls for light winds 5-10mph out of the west on ridge tops with up drainage winds 5-10mph out of the northeast in the valleys. Fire behavior is expected to be active as the day warms; storms to the east and south may produce outflow winds across the area of the fires.

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team assumed command of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires from local resources at 6:00am this morning. “The team and resources who have been managing these three fires have done an excellent job to ensure public and firefighter safety. We want to thank all local resources that have been working hard during the first days of this evolving situation,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Rio Blanco County has implemented stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.

Fawn Creek Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6861/

Stewart Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6862/

Wolf Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6863/

Fire Information – Phone: 970-878-8283      

With minimal fire activity seen on the Fawn Creek and Wolf fires yesterday, crews were able to remove remaining areas of heat near the perimeters while increasing levels of containment on the Fawn and Wolf fires yesterday. With the Stewart Fire 100% contained and in patrol status, crews were able to focus their energy on areas of higher heat on the other two fires.

Today crews on both the Fawn Creek Fire and the Wolf Fire will continue patrol the fires, mopping up any areas of remaining heat near the edge of those fires.

Weather over the fires is forecasted to be warm and breezy with less potential for afternoon thunderstorms than the last several days. High temperatures are expected to be around 90 with relative humidity dropping to the low-teens in the afternoon. Winds are anticipated to be out of the northwest with gusts to 25 mph on the ridgetops.

With increased containment and decreased levels of complexity, management of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires will be turned back to the local agencies at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 20.

“As we wrap up our time on the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires, we want to express our sincere thanks to the community of Meeker and county of Rio Blanco for your hospitality and patience as we worked to manage this incident,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Crews reached 100% containment on the Stewart Fire yesterday afternoon, and the fire has been moved into patrol status. There may still be visible smoke from the interior of this 212 acre fire until wetting rain moves into the area.

The Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received no rain yesterday. Crews and resources remain prepared to assist with initial attack on new fire starts in the area.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will continue to improve and strengthen hand line along the southeast edge and the northwest corner, mopping up as they move around the fire perimeter.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will continue to improve and secure hand line while mopping up and removing heat from areas near the edge of the fire.

“We know that even though these fires are holding less heat and we are moving toward containment, all personnel assigned to these fires must remain vigilant and ensure that we stay aware of the dangers around us,” said Craig Haslam, Safety Officer with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Forecasted weather will be similar to the past few days with high temperatures around 90 and relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens as the day progresses. Thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area around 11 a.m. Once again outflow winds, which may gust to 40 mph, and lightning will likely be associated with these thunderstorms. Westerly ridgetop winds will be predominant over the fires until 1p.m. when the winds will shift to the northwest, gusting to 25 mph.

Summary                                   

The area over the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received minimal moisture from storms yesterday. For the second day in a row, aerial assets assisted with initial attack on a new fire yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are once again ready to assist if any new fire starts come from the thunderstorms forecast for the area today.

The Stewart Fire will be patrolled by engines and mop up will be performed on any areas holding heat.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will work along the southeast edge and the northwest corner to secure areas of heat and complete hand line along the edge of the fire. Crews will also focus on securing the fire in the Eureka Creek area.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will construct, improve, and secure hand line around the fire while also mopping up spots holding heat near hand lines.

Weather over the fire area will be similar to yesterday with thunderstorms forecast to move through in the afternoon. Incident Meteorologist Christopher Redmond said, “We are expecting another day of erratic outflow winds and lightning associated with strong thunderstorms developing around the area beginning at noon. Today will test the containment lines around the fires.”

Outflow winds associated with these thunderstorms may gust to 40mph and lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be similar to once again be in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. Prior to thunderstorms in the afternoon, ridgetop winds will likely be stronger than that past few days with westerly gusts up to 25mph.

Summary                                    7/16/2020, 9:00 am

Aerial resources supporting the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires assisted with the initial attack of a new fire west of Meeker yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are prepared to assist with additional new fire starts that may come from passing thunderstorms in the area today.

To slow the progression of the Wolf Fire, a heavy air tanker was used to drop retardant on the north side of the fire yesterday afternoon. Today, crews will continue to construct hand line around the Wolf Fire while also strengthening those constructed yesterday. Crews will mop up spots holding heat near hand lines.  

On the Stewart Fire, crews will continue to maintain and improve hand lines around the fire. Some resources may be shifted to the other two fires when the Stewart Fire begins being patrolled by engines.

The Fawn Creek Fire was active yesterday afternoon as firefighters worked with aircraft to drop water to contain a spot fire on the northwest corner of the fire. Helicopters were also used to take heat out of the southeast corner of the Fawn Creek Fire; this will allow crews to continue to construct and improve hand line in that area of the fire today.

Air operations may be limited at times throughout the day today due to thunderstorms moving through the fire area. Outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms are anticipated over the fires and may gust to 40mph. Lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms today. Temperatures are expected to be similar to the past several days with highs in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. The fires are anticipated to be active throughout the day as thunderstorms move into the area.

The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and Rio Blanco County have both implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on any of the Incident Information sites below. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.