No structures have been lost so far, as a pair of quick moving wildfires in Platte and Goshen counties have merged and are still burning out of control this morning, prompting evacuations and closing of highways.
The Goshen County Emergency Management Office said in a Facebook post at 8:40 a.m. that the wind died down for several hours last night, allowing for units to get some areas put out, but the wind started blowouts of several locations along Highway 26 this morning.
Highway 26 is closed from Lingle to I-25, as is Highway 270 from Highway 26 at Guernsey to Highway 20 in Manville. Pleasant Valley Road, Whalen Canyon Road, and all roads in Hartville are also closed.
The fires – the Pleasant Valley fire in Platte County, and the Haystacks Fire in Goshen County – merged Tuesday night and crossed Highway 26 late Tuesday night.
While the fires slowed overnight, Goshen County Emergency Management said north of Fort Laramie, the fire “never slowed down.” They said that Goshen County and Yoder road officials, as well as local citizens with discs were able to create several miles of fire line at the head of fire. This allowed fire units to move into structure defense and save homes north of Fort Laramie.
By late Tuesday night, the fire was listed as having consumed 1,500 acres, with no containment. However, according to Goshen County Emergency Managment, no structures have been lost in Platte or Goshen counties at this time.
The Pleasant Valley fire was reported around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on Pleasant Valley Road in Platte County. A separate fire, the Haystacks Fire, re-kindled and was burning in nearby Goshen County.
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office said late Tuesday night that mandatory evacuations were ordered for the town of Hartville, as well as residents in the Pleasant Valley Road area, Highway 270 to Hartville, Whalen Canyon Road, Airport Road, and Highway 26 near the county line.
Multiple units from Goshen, Platte, Albany and Laramie counties, Lusk, Gering, Scottsbluff Rural, Morrill, Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Hemingford, Wyoming State Forestry, and the Bureau of Land Management are on scene to assist with Wednesday’s operations.
Single Engine Air Tankers, Helicopters and Heavy Air Tankers (C-130) aircraft had been dropping water and retardant on the fire.
Emergency Managment officials thanked everyone showing support for the firefighters, as this fire “has been one difficult response.” They also thanked local utility companies for their quick response as well.
Red Flag Warnings were in effect for the area Tuesday, as hot high temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty winds created explosive fire growth potential. While Red Flag Warnings are not in effect for today, fire conditions are expected to be very high in the area.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates!
Photos courtesy of Justin Burkart/Goshen County Emergency Management.
