Efforts to Contain Keystone Fire Continue [UPDATE]

Personnel continue their efforts to contain the Keystone Fire in the Snowy Range.

Efforts yesterday were focused on structure protection and assessment, as well as aerial water drops on hot spots by helicopters.The fire is located about 40 miles west of Albany, Wyoming.

Forest Service Spokesman Aaron Voos said that while initial estimates of the fire where at 350 acres, an infrared flight conducted last night determined the size of the fire to be 376 acres.

“The new movement growth yesterday was to the east a little bit and to the south from the origin of the fire,” Voos said.

Voos said the number of personnel on the fire is in flux, but that the current estimate is about 160 firefighters.

“As of this morning, the Type II incident command team assumed management of the fire,” Voos said. “So with them come a lot of people and they will be ordering in additional resources as well.”

Voos said the incident command center has been established in Fox Park as well as a fire camp in Cinnabar Park, which is located north of the fire, just north of Rob Roy reservoir.

There is currently no containment of the fire and Voos said until there is some containment, there is no estimated time or date when evacuees will be able to return. Voos said there have been no reports of structures having been damaged by the fire.

Albany County Public Health has advised those with any respiratory conditions within a 50 mile radius of the fire to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the hazards of smoke inhalation. They also urge anyone experiencing breathing problems due to smoke to seek medical assistance.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Updates on the fire can be found on InciWeb.