Poison Spider Fire Update 2

Firefighters working on the “Poison Spider Fire,” burning 40 miles west of Casper, gained on the fire today, declaring the fire 95 percent contained as of Thursday evening. The fire, reported at 3 p.m. Sunday, was lightning caused, and acreage burned remains at about 3,200 acres.

Firefighters from the Rawlins and Lander Bureau of Land Management Field Offices, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, Natrona and Carbon Counties, and National Park Service remain on the scene battling a few hotspots, especially in a timbered area on the northwest side of the fire. “We expect to call this one contained by tomorrow evening,” said Larry Trapp, Zone Fire Management Officer.

Rawlins BLM continues to provide initial attack on fires in this area. Wednesday evening, a lightning strike north of Hanna burned ½ acre. Crews from the Rawlins BLM are currently at a fire near Riner, south of Interstate 80, which has burned 15 acres.

“People need to exercise caution and common sense under these extreme conditions,” said Trapp. “The entire area is tinder dry, and these fires can get out of hand very quickly.”

Fire danger is currently "extreme" in southern Wyoming. The public is reminded to contact the Rawlins Interagency Dispatch Center, at 1-800-295-9953, to report any wildfires.

Media Advisory: Safety First! Media members please contact Mary Wilson at the above numbers if you plan to try to photograph any fire area mentioned above.

-BLM-