Wildfire in Casper Mountain, Wyoming

The Sheep Herder Hill Fire started on the southeast side of Casper Mountain off of Circle Drive on Sunday, September 9. The wildfire was spread rapidly east and northeast by high temperatures, strong wind, and dry fuels. The afternoon that the blaze erupted was characterized by southwest wind gusting 30 to 40 mph and relative humidity of less than 10%. Structural damage from the fires began the first evening with at least 6 structures destroyed. By the following morning the fire had already consumed about 5,000 acres. The rapid rate of spread continued on September 10 with wind gusts again topping 30 mph for 7 hours during the afternoon and evening. A cold front swept across the fire site the evening of September 11. Cooler temperatures and a reprieve from the gusty southwest wind and low relative humidity followed frontal passage. As a result, containment of the fire began on September 12, with 100% containment achieved on the evening of September 16. A total of 15,556 acres burned. Many roads up Casper Mountain were closed for several days. Also, 38 residences, 23 outbuildings, and 5 vehicles were destroyed with an additional 2 residences damaged. In addition to property damage, the cost to fight the fire was estimated at around $4.5 to $5 million.