UPDATE: Fire Flares Up Near Scorpion Way – Air Tankers Coming – Evacuation Extended
7p.m. UPDATE: Today's relief efforts at the east side Walmart were successful beyond our wildest dreams. Now the job at hand is to get it to the people who need it most. here is the official release explaining where and how it will be distributed...
CASPER - A distribution of items collected during Townsquare Media’s 5-hour Cole Creek Fire Relief Drive will take place Tuesday, October 13, from 10 am to 2 pm on Lifesteps Campus located at 1514 East 12th Street, between Conwell and Beverly streets.
Thanks to the community efforts and moving truck use from Lisa Burridge & Associates, Michele Trost Hall Real Estate Team, Bromley Real Estate, Habitat for Humanity with staff volunteers from Casper Housing Authority, all led by Townsquare Media, four moving vans were stuffed with relief items, and are ready to go out to those affected by the fire. All monetary donations are given to the American Red Cross to help offset the cost of housing fire victims as well as other purchases related to the fire victims.
5:30 p.m. UPDATE: The Casper/Natrona International Airport says it has been informed that not only is the earlier MD-87 air tanker returning to fight the Cole Creek fire, but a giant DC-10 tanker will be arriving as well.
That would indicate that more robust aerial support is needed to get this fire under control.
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3 p.m. UPDATE: Helicopters continue to make air drops in support of fire fighters battling a major flare up in a neighborhood off Cole Creek Rd. There are multiple structures on fire and again, crews ask that civilians stay away.
The burned area is now estimated at 10,000 acres.
The evacuation order that was expected to be lifted at 4pm, will not be. it will be extended through the night.
Natrona County School buses will not be serving the fire area, obviously. Here is the official release and changed pickup locations...
Transportation update for Monday afternoon, October 12, 2015 for Families affected by the fire.
• Due to the situation on Cole Creek there will NO Transportation Monday afternoon October 12 in the Cole Creek Area,
Alternate afternoon drop off time and locations will be as follows:
• Bus 9 - Middle School students will be dropped off at 3rd and Curtis Evansville Police Station at 3:35 p.m.
• Bus 95 - High School students will be dropped off at 3rd and Curtis Evansville Police Station at 4:35 p.m.
• Bus 99 - Elementary Students will be dropped off at Evansville Elementary at 4:35 p.m.
• All Cole Creek Students will be allowed to ride any grade appropriate bus in the Casper Area.
We will continue to monitor the Cole Creek area and will maintain the same pick up and drop off times as today, if the area remains closed.
• If you have any questions, please contact NCSD Transportation at (307) 253-5283.
2 p.m. UPDATE: The fire fighters are calling in law enforcement to make civilians leave the area. A truck load of young people were seen near Sandpiper St. where the fire has flared up, and they were heading toward the flames. They have called for police to help keep people away.
STAY AWAY FROM THE AREA. YOU WILL ONLY ENDANGER YOURSELF AND THE CREWS FIGHTING THIS BLAZE!
1 p.m. UPDATE: The fire has now seemingly re-ignited near Scorpion Way which is in a subdivision off Cole Creek Road. Trucks are converging on the area around Sunburst, Opal, Quartz and Sandpiper Roads.
Road graders are being called in to widen Cole Creek Road for more emergency vehicle access.
The Veterans Cemetery was barely missed by the fire with burned areas within 3 feet of the cemetery.
NOON UPDATE: Red Cross of Wyoming has moved their evacuation and information center from Casper College to their local Casper office, 318 W. B St. Those affected by the Natrona County Wildfire of Oct. 11 can go to the office for assistance in meeting their immediate needs of food, shelter, clothing and other needs. They can also get information and referrals on how to proceed with their long-term recovery. Those needing assistance can go to the office or call (307) 237-8436 for more information.
10:30 a.m. UPDATE: Rocky Mountain Power reports that power has been largelyrestored to the area damaged by fire. There may still be pockets not yet restored, and they advise residents to call when they are allowed back home to report any homes that have been missed. Click here for more information.
MORNING UPDATE: The big landfill fire was roughly 50% contained over night. Evacuations remain in place though through at least 5pm today.
The fire has burned approximately 7000 acres. Power is out in most of the evacuated area due to poles and wires downed by the blaze. A rough count of home loss is 20 homes, but that is not official.
The city has announced the landfill, not surprisingly, will be closed today. Commercial waste will be accepted today at at Amoco and Bryan Stock Trail.
8:30 P.M. UPDATE: As firefighters continue to battle the blaze on the east side, we’re getting a jump on gathering supplies for our neighbors in need, that have been displaced by the fire.
Join us live Monday, October 12, from 2-7pm at Walmart East – and drop off your donations of:
Bottled water & juices
Toilet Paper
Toiletries
Diapers & Baby Formula
Sleeping Bags
NON-PERISHABLE food items
Pet Food
Many impacted families have livestock that have been displaced by the fire as well – we’d encourage anyone that could drop off feed/hay for larger items, to drop those off directly at the Fairgrounds.
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8 p.m. UPDATE: Here is the latest official bulletin from the Casper Fire-EMS...
"Crews are still actively fighting the fire, evacuations will stay in effect at least 24 more hours. There are active flames and power lines down. Donations of bottled water are being accepted at all fire stations just leave them at the door."
County Emergency Management Coordinator Stewart Anderson says the cooler evening weather is helping, but also the fire bombers can't fly at night. He is preparing several disaster documents to cover costs involved, and doesn't know if the air support will be available tomorrow.
He confirmed for K2 Radio News that several homes in the Cole Creek area have been lost but there is no firm count yet. The Meadow Acres area was not as hard hit, as the fire seemed to slow and damage was lighter.
A shelter for evacuees has been set up at Casper College on the third floor of the Student Activities Center.
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7p.m. UPDATE: Sgt. Aaron Shatto says that Cole Creek Rd. will be closed Monday, so anyone living north of the river will find it essentially impossible to return for the time being.
5:10 p.m. UPDATE: The Natrona County Sheriff's Office has expanded the evacuation order east to Meadow Acres, Sgt. Aaron Shatto said.
Evacuees are asked to go to the third floor of the Student Union at Casper College. Evacuees are not permitted to go to their residences because of the fire danger and the large number of emergency vehicles in the area.
"We are aware of some structures that have been involved at this time, but we do not know the exact number or locations," he said.
Shatto, who was speaking for law enforcement and not fire departments, said he was not aware of any injuries, fatalities or damage to livestock as of 5 p.m.
Local first responders are receiving fire assistance from Converse County, Shatto added.
There was also aerial support with tanker aircraft dropping slurry on the fire as well.
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UPDATE: Casper Fire EMS is now calling for the evacuation of the Cole Creek area. All non-fire personnel are asked to leave as the fire is spreading in the area.
FOR THOSE EVACUATING: The Natrona County Fairgrounds is offering stall space for animals belonging to those evacuating the Coal Creek Area. For information call... (307) 258-8889,
The so-called Balefill Fire has been an all night battle for fire fighters from the Casper Fire EMS, and the blaze continues to cause problems. This morning, the official statement from the department was...
As of this morning, Sunday October 11th, the fire at the Balefill is continuing to burn. Firefighters remained on scene overnight and will continue through the day today as increased winds will require close monitoring. Additional information will be released as necessary.
Fire fighters expected this could be potentially a days long incident, but the high winds Sunday have sent the blaze eastward in the Evansville area. Below are more pictures from Saturday and today...
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Below are more photos from the fire, and the air tanker support that came late in the day...