Lighting Sparks Fires in Bighorn Basin

Several fires were reported as the result of a storm Wednesday evening in the Blue Bank, Lightning Ridge and Black Mountain areas of the Bighorn Basin.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, two of the fires have been confirmed—the larger is the Buffalo Creek Fire at 136 acres near the Nowood River, which is 75% contained. Significant rainfall may have taken care of the others, but Wind River and Bighorn Basin District firefighters were out yesterday morning to confirm. They say they are prepared for whatever happens as the land dries out.

The National Weather Service warns that dry & breezy conditions through the weekend will increase wildfire danger to critical levels across the state.