GILLETTE, Wyo. — Containment of the Short Draw Fire actively burning in northern Campbell County and Montana this past weekend is continuing as firefighters work to protect homes and critical resources, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
As of Sept. 16, the Short Draw Fire is estimated at 35,222 acres and is 40% contained. All evacuation warnings and notices issued by sheriff’s offices in Montana and Wyoming have been rescinded, though residents are asked to avoid the fire area as suppression efforts continue, the DNRC says.
“Crews are actively working to establish control lines along the fire perimeter and will continue to patrol and work inward from these lines to extinguish hotspots,” the DRNC said in the latest update.
Per the update, several coal seams were discovered throughout the fire. A coal seam flare-up on Sept. 15 pushed the fire outside containment by 125 acres; however, hand crews and aircraft successfully reestablished containment, and other coal seams have been properly addressed and mapped.
According to the DNRC, isolated pockets of heat and unburned green vegetation remain in the interior and flare-ups are likely in the coming days as shifting winds ignite these fuel sources. Fire activity persists with occasional hotspots and isolated torching on the southeastern side of the fire.
Warm and dry conditions are expected today with southerly winds and a slight chance of thunderstorms later on. The DNRC says a larger weather system should advance on the fire system during the afternoon hours on Tuesday.
In addition to the Short Draw Fire, Wyoming Team 6, a Type 3 Incident Management Team, took command of the La Bonte Fire south of Douglas on Sunday evening. The fire is estimated at 3,300 acres and is actively burning in steep, rugged terrain.
As of Sept. 16, the La Bonte Fire is 11% contained with air attack resources supporting ground firefighting activity. There are six hand crews, eight smoke jumpers, eight engines, a dozer, multiple air resources and approximately 200 personnel actively engaging the fire.
