A couple of days ago we showed you pictures of a grass fire racing toward the small town of Chugwater, Wyoming.

The fire was put out before it could cross the interstate.

I made my usual stop in Chugwater on my way to Cheyenne and had my usual lunch at the Chugwater Soda Fountain before visiting friends at the Tri-County Mercantile across the street.

Locals filled me in on the details of the fire.

It all happened so fast.

This satellite photo shows the town of Chugwater, to the south. Up to the north, across the buttes, is a small ranch.

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Someone was burning trash at the ranch. BAD IDEA. It's incredibly dry across the region, as you know.

The fire quickly got out of control and a breeze lifted embers up the hill and to the top of the buttes.

The flames raced across the top at such an alarming rate that the local Chugwater fire department was not able to keep up with it.

The fire department called for help.

Below is a photo of the ranch where the fires started. You can see how it climbed up the hills and over the buttes.

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Planes began to arrive dropping slurry, a fire retardant, ahead of the advancing flames.

If you should drive by Chugwater on the interstate you'll see where the fire was stopped.

Just at the edge of the interstate, across from the tiny town.

Folks in Chugwater breathed a sigh of relief as they saw the flames die down and the fire department dealing with the last of the hotspots.

The fire raced down the buttes toward the town and was stopped right at this billboard.

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The town of Chugwater holds an annual Chili Festival and rodeo every year which helps them pay for things like their little fire department.

Imagine what would have happened if they did not have their Chili Festival, and therefore no fire department.

Thanks to Josh Hopkins and Kimberly Witt of Chugwater for these photos.

Chugwater Chili Cookoff 2023

What a huge year for the Chugwater Chili Cookoff and Rodeo in Chugwater Wyoming.

Perfect weather, great off, awesome music, record crowd, damn fine car show, and the rodeo was a blast.

If you missed this year's, hope to see you at next.

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

THE HISTORY & REBIRTH OF CHUGWATER WYOMING

Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods

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