Rain Helps Fight Against Wyoming Fires

NEWCASTLE, Wyo. (AP) — Rain has helped crews battling some wildfires in Wyoming, including a 16-square-mile Squirrel Creek Fire about 30 miles southwest of Laramie.

The residents of about 15 homes were evacuated Wednesday evening because the fire grew to the southeast in beetle-killed timber. However, rain fell at the fire and crews made progress against the fire overnight so those evacuations could be lifted Thursday.

Residents previously evacuated on the east side of the fire were able to return home Wednesday.

Air Force C-130 cargo planes have been used to drop slurry on the blaze, which has destroyed one home and three outbuildings.

Rain also fell on the Fontennelle fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Fire managers at the 91-square-mile Oil Creek fire in northeastern Wyoming said thunderstorms Thursday could bring erratic winds