Recent precipitation brings relief to SE Wyoming ranchers, but long-term forecast remains dry, hot
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY)
May 3 CHEYENNE Recent record levels of rain and snow in southeast
Wyoming have been welcomed by local ranchers, although moving into the summer months, the long-term weather outlook in the state remains hotter and drier than usual.
After recent rainfall in the region, which followed a historic snowstorm in mid-March, drought conditions have improved substantially. While all of
Laramie County was listed as being in moderate or severe drought in late February by the
U.S. Drought Monitor, the latest update last week showed nearly all of
Carol and Robert LeResche deliver topsoil donated by Fletcher Construction to the Meadowlark Elementary garden for raised beds to be installed as part of the grant projects. (Photo courtesy of RiW)
Rooted in Wyoming has received two grants funded through the Wyoming State Forestry Division. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
RiW Receives Grants
The grants, totaling $15,000, are development grants through the Wyoming State Forestry Division’s community forestry program. Rooted in Wyoming Executive Director Lise Foy talks about how the first grant, titled the ‘Sheridan School and Community Garden and Orchard Enhancement Project’ will be used.
Lise Foy
KNBN NewsCenter1
March 8, 2021
According to Crook County Fire Warden Doug Leis, crews are continuing to monitor hot spots after overnight crews patrolled Sunday night.
Initially caused by people burning wood scraps in a pile, the fire caused one home with a garage and outbuilding to be destroyed, and is estimated to have burned approximately 104 acres. No injuries were reported.
Rough and steep terrain in some areas made it difficult to get around the fire at times. At peak, an estimated 35-36 trucks and 70 personnel were involved in fighting the fire, including crews from Wyoming State Forestry and Black Hills National Forest.
Sundance Fire-Cause
SUNDANCE, Wyo. – Fire officials in Wyoming say a fire that destroyed a home Saturday night was sparked by a wood scrap pile that got away in dry, windy conditions.
The Crook County Fire Warden says crews have been keeping an eye on the fire since its start Saturday night, making sure no hot spots reignite.
The fire was located about 11 miles north and east of Sundance near Sand Creek and Rifle Pit Road. It was listed at 90-percent containment Sunday night.
The fire burned one home with a garage and outbuilding. The home is owned by James and Jessica Halverson and their family. The family lost everything and there are several funds set up to help them, including one at Sundance State Bank and a GoFundMe page titled ‘Help-the-Halversons.”
CHEYENNE, Wyo. âTwo Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employees received a national award for their work in the fire program.
Richard Putnam and Reed Oldenburg received the 2020 Award for Excellence in BLM Fuels Management. This award was presented by theFire and Aviation Directorate at theNational Interagency Fire Center.
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They received the award for growing and expanding the BLM Wyoming fuels program over the past several years. Under their leadership, Wyoming increased the reduction of hazardous fuels on BLM lands by almost 550 percent over the past five years.At the completion of the fiscal year 2020, the fuels program accomplished 93,148 acres of treatments, 119 percent of the original target and setting a new record for annual accomplishments.