Pedro Mountain Fire 60% Contained; Evacuations to be Lifted
Fire managers prepared to lift evacuations Wednesday after increasing containment on the Pedro Mountain Fire burning in central Wyoming.
Listed at 21,473 acres in size with 60% containment as of Wednesday morning, the fire has claimed seven structures.
However, the increase from the previously reported loss of four structures does not mean that the fire has damaged additional properties. Instead, it reflects a change in the way the damage was reported.
The figure of destroyed structures was previously based on the number of properties that were burned. Some of those properties had multiple buildings, and now fire managers are reporting the actual number of individual structures lost rather than the number of properties affected.
All evacuations and road closures implemented due to the fire were set to be lifted at 2 p.m. Wednesday. While that means all roads will be open to the public, fire managers asked people to avoid any unnecessary travel into the area, as fire crews continue to work.
Those reentering the area are encouraged to review a list of precautions and potential hazards, available here.
A total of 292 firefighters were dedicated to the incident as of Wednesday morning, a decrease of 72 from Tuesday. Some of those firefighters have been reassigned to other fires in the region, including the Fishhawk Fire burning east of Yellowstone National Park.
Fire managers still expected to have the Pedro Mountain Fire totally contained by Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The lightning-caused fire began early on the afternoon of Aug. 24.
No injuries have been reported in connection with the blaze.