WYDOT monitors wildfire situation

State roads near several wildfires in Wyoming currently remain open. Officials are monitoring the situation in case closures are needed.

Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Highway Patrol officials are monitoring wildfires near Jackson and in southern Carbon County for potential threats to the state system.

The Roosevelt wildfire near Jackson has grown to 48,348 acres as of about 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, information from the U.S. Forest Service’s website indicated. Emergency responders have contained about 22 percent of that wildfire. The fire started on Sept. 15.

WYDOT already had to temporarily close US 189-191 on Sunday after the fire burned land about a quarter mile near the highway. WYDOT closed US 189-191 between Daniel Junction and Jackson and between Pinedale and Jackson from 1:37 p.m. to 11:06 p.m. WYDOT reopened the road on Monday. 

Officials are monitoring the area and may have to temporarily close the road if the fire comes close again.

A red flag warning is in effect for the area from noon until 8 p.m. due to dry and windy conditions. WYDOT’s Jackson maintenance will perform pilot car operations in the Hoback Ranches area. Crews will work along the side of the road preparing for possible fire advancement. 

The Ryan wildfire in Carbon County started on Sept. 15, 27 miles northwest of Walden, Colorado and spread into Wyoming. So far, that fire has engulfed about 19,328 acres of land, information from the U.S. Forest Service’s website indicated. That fire has zero percent containment.

The edge of the fire moved closer to WYO 230 between Riverside and the state line. WYDOT used portable message signs to alert motorists of smoke they may encounter.

Travelers can visit WYDOT’s 511 website for the latest on the wildfire impacts to road and travel conditions.

Travelers can also get updated information from the U.S. Forest Service.