Firefighters, now numbering 514 in total, will not directly engage the fire in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness area, opting instead to patrol and assist Forest Service staff in keeping recreationists apprised of the area closure.
"It's just not safe to put these firefighters right up against that fire," Sanchez says, citing hazards posed by the high percentage of beetle kill where the fire continues to burn.
Annual aircraft rescue firefighting training sessions are underway at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport.
During each session, area residents may notice columns of heavy black smoke coming from the airport. Januska says the burns are required by the Federal Aviation Administration and there's no immediate threat to public safety or airport operations...
Casper and Natrona County residents may notice columns of heavy black smoke coming from the direction of Casper-Natrona County International Airport on Friday morning.
The airport will host the first of many aircraft rescue firefighting training sessions on Friday, and airport firefighters from across the region will be in attendance...