2024 Wyoming wildfires | |
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![]() The Elk Fire in Sheridan County on September 30th, 2024. | |
Season | |
2025 → |
The 2024 Wyoming wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Wyoming during 2024.
"Wildfire season" in Wyoming typically occurs between June and September, but wildfires can occur as early as April and late as December. Peak time of fire season is normally in July and August. Wildfires in Wyoming are triggered by a dry climate, drought, grasses die and dry out, and times when dry thunderstorms are more common. [1] Humidity levels, dryness of fuel, wind, and temperature also play a crucial role. Forests that have not had wildfires in recent years have more fire fuel, and trees killed by disease and insect infestation quickly dry up and become a prime fuel for wildfires. [2]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
352 I-80 | Laramie | 2,193 | February 24 | March 25 | [3] | |
Hwy 16 | Crook | 1,200 | February 25 | [4] | ||
Happy Jack | Laramie | 6,524 | March 1 | July 3 | Caused by human activity. | [5] |
139 | Laramie | 2,017 | March 2 | March 26 | Caused by human activity. | [6] |
Creek | Crook | 1,470 | June 11 | June 20 | [7] | |
Pine Ridge | Goshen | 1,290 | June 24 | June 28 | Caused by lightning. | [8] |
Road 22 | Goshen | 5,576 | July 13 | July 15 | [9] | |
Oregon Trail | Natrona | 1,540 | July 13 | July 22 | [10] | |
Clearwater | Park | 1,966 | July 19 | December | Lightning-caused. | [11] |
Badger | Sheridan | 7,973 | July 24 | August 29 | [12] | |
Beaver Creek | Campbell | 1,081 | July 28 | August 31 | Lightning-caused. | [13] |
Blizzard Heights | Converse | 1,957 | July 28 | July 29 | Lightning-caused. | [14] |
Cold Springs | Converse | 1,846 | July 30 | September 24 | [15] | |
Deer Creek | Johnson | 6,700 | August 3 | August 9 | [16] | |
Fish Creek | Teton & Fremont | 25,443 | August 16 | Caused by lightning. Merged with the Pack Trail Fire on October 5th. | [17] | |
Constitution | Campbell | 24,630 | August 21 | September 14 | [18] | |
Geier | Weston | 1,474 | August 21 | September 24 | [19] | |
Barber | Converse | 1,419 | August 21 | September 24 | [20] | |
House Draw | Johnson | 174,547 | August 21 | September 17 | [21] | |
Flat Rock | Campbell | 52,421 | August 21 | September 25 | [22] | |
Pleasant Valley | Platte & Goshen | 28,984 | July 30 | August 7 | [23] | |
Remington | Sheridan | 196,368 | August 22 | September 21 | Spread into Montana. Destroyed several structures, ranches, and killed livestock. Became largest wildfire of Montana's wildfire season. Injured one civilian. | [24] [25] [26] |
Silver Spoon | Campbell | 1,721 | September 1 | September 7 | [27] | |
West Warm Springs | Hot Springs | 1,610 | September 9 | September 13 | [28] | |
Short Draw | Campbell | 34,557 | September 11 | September 20 | [29] | |
Salt Creek | Natrona | 1,520 | September 11 | September 11 | [30] | |
Bear Creek | Albany | 1,444 | September 12 | September 20 | [31] | |
La Bonte | Converse | 3,506 | September 12 | September 25 | [32] | |
Livingston Draw | Johnson | 1,400 | September 17 | September 23 | [33] | |
Elk | Sheridan | 98,352 | September 27 | November 14 | One firefighter injured. | [34] |
Pack Trail | Teton & Fremont | 89,930 | September 27 | November 7 | Merged with the Fish Creek Fire on October 5th. | [35] |
Diamond | Platte | 2,168 | October 22 | October 23 | [36] |