Wyoming News Briefs

NEWCASTLE, Wyo. (AP) — Fire officials say the nearly 17-square-mile Squirrel Creek Fire about 30 miles southwest of Laramie was human-caused. Crews hope to have the flames fully surrounded tomorrow night. Fifteen homes were evacuated Wednesday because the fire grew to the southeast in beetle-killed timber. Rainfall helped crews and those evacuated along the east side of the fire were allowed to return home.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A fire burning nearly 9,000 acres in southwest South Dakota is 80 percent contained. Fire spokesman Brian Scott says controlling the White Draw Fire in Black Hills is "going really well." Flags across South Dakota flew at half-staff yesterday to honor four North Carolina National Guard airmen who died in the crash of a C-130 air tanker helping battle the White Draw Fire last weekend.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The public has until next month to comment on a National Park Service proposal to allow more snowmobiles into Yellowstone National Park. The agency proposes to allow up to 480 snowmobiles plus 60 snow coaches per day into Yellowstone. The Park Service had set a daily limit of 318 snowmobiles and 78 snow coaches a day last winter.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Cheyenne special projects manager Bob Bradshaw says plans to install surveillance cameras in the downtown isn't meant to intrude into people's private lives. Bradshaw tells the Wyoming Tribune Eagle authorities will review the images in case of a crime. The city has applied for a federal homeland security grant to buy more cameras.