News Release
NPS, Ryan Felkins
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Contact: Christy Fleming, 307-548-5402
Lovell, WY – On the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2020, a small wildland fire was started by an unattended campfire at Trail Creek campground at Barry’s Landing. Campers in the site had made dinner over the campfire in the park designated fire pit and had moved into the camper to eat dinner. Campers reported leaving the fire unattended for less than 10 minutes when they heard other campers yelling “fire!” It appears that the wind came up and blew the unattended fire to the surrounding vegetation while the occupants were inside the camper. Fellow campers were able to gain the attention of the people in the camper and get them out before their camper started on fire. Surrounding vegetation including ten cottonwood trees were lost to the fire.
The Lovell Fire Department was paged. Six engines responded with the first arriving within thirty minutes. Their rapid response ensured that the fire was contained to three acres even in the extremely windy conditions. They kept the fire from damaging campground facilities and from going over the hill to the historic Hillsboro Ranch. The National Park Service very much appreciates their response.
Once Lovell Fire Department had the fire contained, the National Park Service and US Forest Service wildland fire teams monitored, checked for hot spots and mopped up the fire. The fire was considered out by early afternoon on Sunday, October 11, 2020.
The Trail Creek Campground remains open. Campsite C24 is temporarily closed until the remains of the camper can be removed and the site cleaned.
This fall has been unseasonably warm and dry which has led to several days with red flag warnings. Bighorn Canyon staff would like to remind visitors to build fires only in the designated fire pits, do not leave fires unattended, and ensure all fires are dead out before leaving.
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Last updated: October 19, 2020