Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Cooler temperatures and calmer winds have helped crews battling a wildfire in a remote and mountainous area of the Medicine Bow National Forest. The Russell's Camp fire has burned about 4 square miles since Sunday. It remains completely uncontained, but the calm weather gave crews time to reposition helicopters and other equipment before hot, dry conditions return this weekend.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Opponents of a ban on smoking in Casper bars and restaurants have an opportunity to snuff it out. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the City Council this week voted to start the ban Sept. 1, giving opponents time to collect signatures and put the issue to voters. If they're successful in their efforts to make the ballot, the council will decide whether to suspend the law or repeal it.

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A federal judge in Nevada has temporarily banned the Bureau of Land Management from using helicopters to gather many of the hundreds of mustangs targeted in a roundup that's already under way about 150 miles northeast of Reno. The judge said yesterday he'll allow the activity to continue in the southern half of the Jackson Mountains because BLM has proven there's an emergency due to drought.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Natrona County linebacker Ryan Anaya is the first in-state recruit that Wyoming has offered a scholarship to since 2009. The 6-foot-2 248 pounder will be a senior this fall at Natrona County. The Cowboys offered him a scholarship after he attended a UW camp.